Surrey sign Thornely as cover

Surrey have signed Dominic Thornely, the 26-year-old New South Wales allrounder, until June 26, as cover for the injured Azhar Mahmood.

Mahmood has been suffering from a shin problem since the start if the season and Surrey want to make sure he is fully fit when he returns.

Steve Rixon, the Surrey manager, said: "It's great news to be able to sign Dominic on this short term basis, having worked with him at New South Wales I know that he will be keen to make the most of this opportunity and try to impress the his fellow countrymen who arrive in the country on Sunday.

"He is an extremely talented cricketer who will give us more batting options and variety in the bowling attack."

Thornely enjoyed a prolific 2004-05 season with New South Wales, scoring 1006 runs at 55, including a career-best 261 not out, against Western Australia when he added 219 for the last wicket with Stuart MacGill.