Yorkshire are expected to announce today that their 26-year-old left-hander, Michael Lumb, has signed for Hampshire.

South African-born Lumb has been unhappy at Yorkshire since losing his place for a while during the 2005 season and although at that time he was offered a new contract beyond this summer he declined to sign it.

Lumb has just enjoyed a moderately successful season, finishing as Yorkshire's third highest-scoring batsman in the Championship with 963 runs for an average of 41.86.

But he has not advanced his career as much as he would have wished and no doubt feels that a change of club will boost his chances of going on to play for England.

Lumb hit a century for Yorkshire at the Rose Bowl in July and his innings drew praise from Hampshire captain, Shane Warne.