YORKSHIRE have boosted their fast bowling attack by signing 26-year-old left-arm paceman, David Lucas, from Nottinghamshire.

Lucas, who bats right-handed, has been signed on a four-month contract from the beginning of March and it will be extended if he makes a good impression in the first half of the season.

Although by no means a big-name signing, Lucas will give Yorkshire a wider range of bowling choices because they have been without an established left-armer since Paul Hutchison and Ryan Sidebottom left the club.

Lucas, who helped Rotherham win the Yorkshire League title in 1996, received an award in 2000 for being the most promising young player on Nottinghamshire's staff.

Born in Nottingham, Lucas has captured 52 first class wickets at 36.71 runs each for his native county but he has been unable to force his way into the first team over the past two seasons.

By far his best bowling performance to date was achieved for Nottinghamshire Seconds against Yorkshire Seconds at Trent Bridge in 1999 when he grabbed 8-50 in the first innings and enjoyed a match return of 12-157. Also that season, he played in a first XI Championship match against Yorkshire at the same venue but failed to take a wicket.

Lucas signed up at Headingley yesterday only days after returning from honeymoon with his new wife, Donna.

"I am delighted to have joined Yorkshire and I am hungry for first team cricket," said Lucas. "I just cannot wait for March to come so that I can get started.

"Things got a bit frustrating at Notts where I had a couple of injuries at the wrong time but all that is behind me now and I am being very positive about my future with Yorkshire.

Yorkshire's director of cricket David Byas said: "I think David is an exciting prospect who will give our attack more variety."

Updated: 10:35 Wednesday, December 08, 2004