Ishant Sharma will turn up for Sussex for the first two months of the 2018 season after securing his maiden county stint with the English outfit.

The 29-year-old bowler went unsold in the recently concluded IPL auctions and thus remained available for the beginning of the county season in April.

The India man has been picked up as an overseas player by Sussex to cope with the absence of Jofra Archer who will remain unavailable during the IPL due to his commitments with Rajasthan Royals.

Ishant will become the second Indian to sign up with a county side this season after Cheteshwar Pujara had earlier been picked up by Yorkshire. Pujara too, had gone unsold in the IPL auction.

“Securing Ishant’s services has been very important for us. Once Jofra (Archer) and Chris (Jordan) were picked up in the IPL draft, it became crucial to sign an experienced international-quality seam bowler who could provide valuable support and know-how to the rest of the seamers,” Sussex’s director of cricket Keith Greenfield said.

“Ishant has the attributes to be very successful in early season English conditions and a great role model. He fits the bill perfectly and we look forward to welcoming him to Sussex Cricket,” he added.

Sussex head coach Jason Gillespie too welcomed Ishant onboard and was happy to have secured the experienced head’s services.

“We’re delighted to secure the services of an experienced and very skilful international seamer,” he stated.

On his part, Ishant sounded excited about his maiden England stint and thanked Sussex for believing in his abilities.

“It’s a great honour to represent Sussex CCC, the oldest first-class county, and I am looking forward with excitement to my maiden stint in county cricket,” the club’s press release quoted the Indian pacer as saying.

“I would like to extend a special thanks to Sussex for taking note of my ongoing performances and deeming me suitable for this opportunity. I hope to add value during my time as part of the Sussex family this season,” it went on to add.