Steve Magoffin hopes that becoming a fully-fledged Brit can help extend his career.

Magoffin signed a new two-year deal recently which will keep him at Hove until just short of his 37th birthday.

The second year of that contract depends on the Australian gaining a British passport midway through next summer which will allow Sussex to bring in another overseas player.

Magoffin had his best season in England this summer after undergoing surgery to cure his problematic knees last winter and believes he can continue terrorising county batsmen for a while yet.

Magoffin said: “I've recently gone to the next stage of applying for my residency permit which means that in 12 months from that point I should be able to apply for a passport.

“If everything runs smoothly then by the back end of June or early July I should be able to get a British passport which is obviously great for the club as it gives them the option to bring in another overseas player.

“The second year of my contract depends on me being a 'local' player and I see no reason why that shouldn't happen from all the information I have been given.

“I'm thrilled that my future will be at Sussex for the next two years as I feel I have played the best cricket of my career since coming to Hove. After that we'll have to assess things again but it may well be that I will continue.

“I'm 34 at the moment and feel physically good and I still love playing but it is hard to judge if that will still be the case in two years' time.”

The closest Magoffin came to playing for Australia was when he was called up as a standby for the tour to South Africa in 2009.

The Queenslander would love to experience Test cricket but admits it is unlikely he will get the chance with England once he has dual nationality.

Magoffin added: “I'm not sure what the rules are about playing for England but I'm not sure they will be looking for someone of my vintage anyway!

“I haven't looked into it to be honest but if the phone call does come at some stage I would have to give it a think. The best thing about it is that I'll be able to pick and choose who to support in the Ashes next year!

“I'm pretty certain the guys have got the national anthem ready for me to sign when I get my passport so I better start learning the words!”