Carseldine, Harwood and Quiney to play for Rajasthan Royals

Melbourne, Feb. 15 (ANI): Australia's first class cricketers, Lee Carseldine, Shane Harwood and Rob Quiney have been signed up by the Indian Premier League champions Rajasthan Royals for the 2009 season.

Carseldine is an all rounder with Queensland, while pacer Shane Harwood and left-hand bat Rob Quiney play for Victoria.

Carseldine and Harwood will replace Pakistani pair Kamran Akmal and Sohail Tanvir, who have been banned by the Pakistan Government from playing in India.

Rajasthan Royals' Director of Coaching Darren Berry announced their contracts, Fox Sports reports.

Berry said Carseldine's outstanding form in the 2008-2009 domestic Twenty20 series and his overall performance this season, warranted an opportunity, while Quiney has been claimed as an uncapped player of the future.

Berry said the 33-year-old left hander Carseldine could prove to be the surprise packet of the six-week long IPL season that will start on April 10.

"He is a mature player who has overcome serious injury to be now given an opportunity to ply his craft in India," he added.

Carseldine made a successful comeback to first-class cricket this season after a serious back complaint almost ended his career in 2004.

"It's been a bit of a fairytale over the last few months. At the start of the season, I just wanted to play regularly and contribute well to the Queensland side," said Carseldine.

Berry will make sure that the Australian trio link up with captain-coach Shane Warne and fellow Australians Shane Watson and Shaun Tait. (ANI)