Glamorgan sign Ireland Test captain Andrew Balbirnie as Marnus Labuschagne arrival is put back

The Australia batsman will return to Cardiff upon the end of the domestic season down under. Michael Neser's arrival has also been delayed

Glamorgan captain Chris Cooke extends contract

Ireland Test captain Andrew Balbirnie has joined Glamorgan for the first part of the County Championship season as a replacement for Marnus Labuschagne.

The Australia batsman will return to Cardiff, where he played during the 2019 campaign, but only once Queensland's domestic season has concluded.

Teammate Michael Neser's arrival has also been delayed for the same reason and Glamorgan are looking into alternative options.

In a partly reduced domestic season, the Marsh Cup final is pencilled in for April 11, with the climax to the Sheffield Shield scheduled for April 15-19.

Balbirnie has therefore been recruited for the opening month of the season, which begins in the County Championship against Yorkshire on April 8.

That trip to Headingley follows four-day games against Sussex, Northamptonshire and Kent.

Previously at Middlesex, 30-year-old Balbirnie spent last summer with Glamorgan during their T20 Blast campaign.

He scored 255 runs in nine matches, with an average of 36.42 and a top score of 99 not out against Gloucestershire.

^{Marnus Labuschagne and Michael Neser remain in domestic action for Queensland until mid-April.}

"It’s a brilliant opportunity to play red-ball cricket and the County Championship is historically one of the best first-class competitions in the world," said Balbirnie, whose Ireland side are due to face South Africa, Netherlands and Zimbabwe this summer.

"I really enjoyed my time in Wales last season - the players and coaches were incredibly welcoming and it’s a great place to play.

"I’m really excited to go back, get stuck in and hopefully contribute to some wins for Glamorgan."

Director of cricket, Mark Wallace added: "It’s disappointing Marnus will miss the first few games of the season but we’re very happy to get someone the calibre of Balbo in on such short notice.

"As he showed last year, he’s a fine player and has a good track record across all formats and experience playing at the very highest level.

"He was fantastic for us when he joined last year and will bring plenty of skill and leadership to our side."

Subscribe today and receive The Cricketer’s centenary issue – six issues for £19.21. Click here