Derbyshire Sign Cheteshwar Pujara

Derbyshire have signed India Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara on a short-term deal for their final three County Championship fixtures of the season.

Cheteshwar Pujara was not named in the squad for the forthcoming one-dayers against England

Cheteshwar Pujara averaged only 22.00 from 10 innings in the five-match Test series
against England

Cheteshwar Pujara has since returned to India and is not currently due to join up with Derbyshire until early September 2014

That would leave him free to make his debut against Glamorgan on 9 September.

"Pujara joining us at this stage of the season is a real boost for the lads," said Derbyshire elite performance director Graeme Welch. "We're an ambitious team and have an exciting group of players who are developing fast.

"With Shivnarine Chanderpaul now back in the West Indies preparing for Test match action and Marcus North focusing on our one-day campaign, Pujara will bring an added dimension to the side as we look to finish our Championship season strongly."

Derbyshire's remaining County Championship Division Two fixtures
31 August-3 September: v Worcestershire (Derby, 11:00 BST)
9-12 September: v Glamorgan (Cardiff, 10:30 BST)
15-18 September: v Surrey (The Oval, 10:30 BST)
23-26 September: v Leicestershire (Derby, 10:30 BST)

Derbyshire, relegated a year ago, currently lie seventh in Division Two, with promotion hopes extremely slim as they stand 62 points adrift (with a game in hand) of second-placed Hampshire.

They are 35 points ahead of bottom club Leicestershire, who they play in their final game.