Yorkshire have signed New Zealand international bowler Daryl Tuffey to cover the absence of their regular overseas player Ryan Harris.

Harris, who has shot to fame over the recent weeks with some sterling performances for the Australian one-day side, is expected to link up with the club in May at the earliest.

Tuffey, the 31 year-old Otago-born pace bowler, plays his domestic cricket for Auckland.

He has played 24 Test matches, 85 one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals for his country.

He played his most recent Test against Pakistan in December and most recent one-ay international against Bangladesh earlier this month. He has taken a total of 175 international wickets.

Yorkshire's director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon said: "We felt it was important to have an experienced overseas bowler at the club in the period before Ryan Harris joins us in May.

"We have a young bowling attack in 2010, and the knowledge and wickets that Daryl can provide us with will be vital if we are to get off to a good start in the County Championship."

A veteran of two World Cup campaigns with the Black Caps in 2003 and 2007, Tuffey commented: "It's a great opportunity for myself to come over to Yorkshire to advance and develop my cricket.

"I haven't played county cricket before, and it's always something I've wanted to do.

"It's going to be exciting to join up with a young squad, and I'm looking forward to passing on a few tips from the experience I've gained in Test and first-class cricket.

"I've now got the opportunity to come over to Yorkshire, which is pretty rich in its cricket tradition. I'm looking forward to the challenge, and I'm sure I will enjoy it."

Harris is due to arrive at Headingley after fulfilling his Indian Premier League commitments with the Deccan Chargers on April 25 at the latest.

But, with his recent success at international level, it may yet transpire that Harris is unavailable until the end of July due to Australia duty.

Should everything go as planned with the Harris situation, Tuffey would play in three or four Championship matches and one ECB 40-over league fixture.