Sussex's new signing Ryan Harris will relish English conditions, according to coach Mark Robinson.

The 28-year-old, who has signed a two-year deal with the county champions, played Lancashire League cricket for Lowerhouse CC last year.

Bowling for his state at the Adelaide Oval - the flattest pitch in Australia - should act as ideal preparation for the wickets at Hove, which have tended to favour the batsmen in recent years.

Robinson has worked for three months on trying to secure Harris. When other counties were alerted to the fact that he had a British passport they stepped in and I understand that at least two counties made better financial offers.

Robinson's diligence has been rewarded and he is delighted to have Harris as part of a 21-man squad, the biggest Sussex have operated with for several years.

He said: "Ryan is something of a late developer but his stats this season are excellent and he is very keen to come over here and help us defend the Championship. We see it as a very exciting signing for Sussex."

Harris has taken 33 wickets at 27.87 apiece in the Pura Cup - Australia's equivalent of the County Championship - this season, including a career-best 7-108 in South Australia's latest game against Tasmania a fortnight ago when he finished with a match return of 9-171.

He is a useful lower-order batsman as well who will probably bat at No. 9 for Sussex. He is averaging 23.83 this season with a top score of 60.

Robinson said: "He has got a good record when you consider Adelaide is the flattest wicket in Australia.

"There is always an element of the unknown when you sign any new player. It was the same when we took on Van Der Wath, Rana Naved and Yasir Arafat. But our record with overseas players is pretty good.

"With James Kirtley, Jason Lewry and Chris Liddle and now Ryan we have four players capable of taking the new ball as well as cover for injuries. I'm very excited about how our squad is shaping up."

Harris consistently bowls at 85-90mph, swings the ball both ways and has developed the ability to reverse-swing an older ball which is a useful attribute, particularly at Hove.

Speaking after his recent career-best performance for South Australia, Harris said: "I haven't changed much this season but I seem to be a bit more consistent. And it's good to be able to get reverse-swing too, especially on pretty flat wickets.

"I put on 3-4kg of muscle and that has enabled me to get through the crease with more momentum in my action and that has helped as well."

Harris, who attended the Australian academy in 2002, has also been a regular in South Australia's one-day team this season, taking eight wickets in nine appearances.

His Australian commitments end in the second week in March and he will link up with Sussex at the beginning of April prior to the season-opener against MCC at Lord's on April 11.