Australian leg-spinner Stuart MacGill will return to Nottinghamshire after agreeing a two-year deal with the county.

The 31-year-old spent part of last summer at Trent Bridge, taking 40 wickets in six Championship appearances.

"It's terrific news. Stuart showed himself last season to be the best attacking overseas bowler at this club since Richard Hadlee.

"There was a real buzz about the place whenever he came on to bowl, which indicated the interest cricket fans have in watching a world-class leg-spinner at work," said Director of Cricket Mick Newell.

MacGill is 20th in the current Test bowling rankings, even though his opportunities have been limited because of Shane Warne's presence in the Australian team.

He has taken 82 wickets in 17 Test appearances, but has not played since the third Test against South Africa in Melbourne at the beginning of the year.

"Though he was in big demand from a number of other counties following his performances last season he's chosen Notts and we're naturally delighted he�s made that commitment.

"He had a very positive influence on the team and after adopting getting Notts promoted as a huge personal challenge, he played a massive part in achieving it," Newell added.

New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns will be the club's other overseas player for the 2003 season.