South Australian skipper Michael Klinger has signed with English county side Worcestershire as their overseas player for the early part of the season because of the delayed arrival of compatriot Phil Hughes.

Hughes had signed for the Royals for the entire 2012 campaign but is required by Australia to take part in training camps and he will not arrive at New Road until late May.

Worcestershire believe they have a ready-made replacement in 31-year-old Klinger.

He made the third double-century of his career against Tasmania last weekend and has scored heavily while opening in the domestic one-day competition.

Klinger has a first-class average of 41.32 and was the highest run-scorer in the 2011-12 Australian one-day competition, amassing 498 runs at an average of 55.33.

Worcestershire director of Cricket, Steve Rhodes, said: “I saw Mike play against NSW in October and his skill, attitude and maturity as a player made me sit up and take note.

“Mike has recently captained South Australia to the domestic one-day title and his batting was one of the main reasons for the success as he was the top run scorer in the competition.”