South African batsman Hashim Amla has agreed to join Nottinghamshire for the opening seven weeks of the 2010 season.

Amla will provide cover for David Hussey who is contracted to represent Notts following the conclusion of his commitments to Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League and Australia in the ICC World Twenty20.

A double-hundred in the first Test at Nagpur and a century in the second match of South Africa’s recent series in India have helped Amla to maintain his place amongst the ICC’s top ten ranked Test batsmen.

“Six of our Championship fixtures begin before the end of May so our main aim in the recruitment process was to find a batsman who we felt could score consistently in four day cricket,” said Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell.

“Hashim is having a good time in India, he’s not involved in South Africa’s Twenty20 side and he hasn’t got an IPL contract so he fits the bill.

“Pursuing county cricket is a good option for a player in his position and hopefully he’ll leave with a positive impression of us and the door will be open for him to return at some stage in the future.”

Amla is expected to make his debut for Nottinghamshire in a three-day game against Durham UCCE from Saturday 10th April and will leave Trent Bridge after the LV= County Championship match against Essex which concludes on Tuesday 1 June.