Rogers has played for Australia A

The 30-year-old Western Australia opening batsman has agreed to a second spell at the County Ground, having last played for the side in 2004.

Rogers will fill in when Jayawardene is on international or Indian Premier League duty.

"He is used to English conditions and is prepared to be flexible," said head of cricket John Morris.

Interview: Derbyshire head of cricket John Morris

"Jayawardene is coming over but the dates of when he is coming are changing on a regular basis," he added on BBC Radio Derby.

"Chris is prepared to be our overseas player when Jayawardene is not here. At this point in time we can't guarantee exactly how long that is going to be but Chris was prepared to be flexible for us and is a good player so it fitted the bill.

"Jayawardene could possibly be away for more than he is here. The unfortunate thing about all of this is that you make your plans and the International Cricket Council decide to change dates.

"That is what has happened here so we needed someone that could come in and be flexible around us, we have that covered now so we can all relax."

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Rogers, who has played for Australia A, also had stints at Northamptonshire and Leicestershire - for whom he made a double-hundred against the touring Australians in 2005.

And he becomes the latest significant acquisition in a recruitment drive which has already seen the arrivals of Jayawardene and new captain Rikki Clarke.

"He knows the club and he knows the East Midlands so we are pleased to have him on board," added Morris. "We wanted a good player and his record is second to none.

"Chris has a contract with the Australian Cricket Board so they think highly of him. I just felt he was the right sort of cricketer."