YORKSHIRE are closing in on the signing of a new overseas player for this summer’s NatWest T20 Blast.

The replacement for Travis Head could be announced this week, and it is understood it is another Australian batsman.

Yorkshire’s hierarchy were surprised and frustrated to learn last weekend that Head will not be returning to Headingley in July due to Australia A commitments.

But Martyn Moxon has revealed that a new signing is imminent.

“We’re pretty close,” said the county’s director of cricket.

“We’re hopefully in the final throws of negotiating the financial side of things. I’d like to think we’d be in a position to announce something this week.”

Moxon was speaking during Yorkshire’s one-day friendly against South Africa A on Saturday, which was abandoned after only 35.3 overs due to rain.

Yorkshire’s much-changed side, including two debutants in batsman Harry Brook and wicketkeeper Jonathan Read, dominated what play was possible.

The tourists were reduced to 18-3 and 42-4 before recovering to reach 129-4 before rain and thunder took the players off shortly before 2pm.

The match was abandoned approximately an hour later in bright sunshine due to a wet outfield.

The Proteas second string included seven full internationals, including Test players Theunis de Bruyn, Temba Bavuma and Tabraiz Shamsi.

Steve Patterson was the pick of the Vikings bowlers with 2-16 from 7.3 overs, while Matthew Fisher and Will Rhodes also struck.

Patterson had Jon Jon Smuts caught behind and de Bruyn caught at cover.

Fisher trapped Reeza Hendricks lbw and Will Rhodes bowled Bavuma for 21.

Captain Khaya Zondo top-scored with 56 not out and shared an unbroken 87 inside 22 overs with Jason Smith, although they struggled to break free of an accurate attack on a slow pitch.

This was Patterson’s first first-team appearance since May 5 in the Royal London one-day Cup having been left out of the one-day and four-day teams.

“It’s not ideal for me, and it’s pretty frustrating,” he said. “But all you can do is tick over and whenever you get an opportunity, wherever it may be, be ready to go out and do the business. If they need me, I’m there.”