Jacques Rudolph returns to Yorkshire

Jacques Rudolph has rejoined Yorkshire as an overseas player for the remainder of the 2011 season, in a bid to help rescue his former club from relegation. He has received clearance from the ECB, and his first game of the season is likely to be the Roses match against Lancashire at Headingley, starting July 20.

After joining the club as a Kolpak player in 2007, Rudolph passed 1000 first-class runs in each of his four seasons and established himself as one of the club's most popular and prolific overseas signings. In all competitions he amassed an impressive 8629 runs.

However, he was released by mutual consent at the end of the 2010 season, after he and his wife Elna admitted to having struggled to adapt to life in England. Now, however, he is back, with Yorkshire struggling to stay afloat in the first division, with only Hampshire below them in the table after nine matches.

"Jacques is a hugely respected and popular player and we have missed his contribution in all forms of the game this season," said Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire's director of cricket. "The entire club is very pleased to welcome him back and we look forward to his runs lifting the team in the remaining matches."