AUSTRALIAN left-hander, Phil Jaques, will be leaving Yorkshire before the end of the season after being picked for his country's A team tour of Pakistan, which starts on September 8.

Jaques, Yorkshire's leading run-scorer, learned of the news yesterday in a phone call from the Australian Cricket Board as he was on his way to Taunton for today's Championship match against Somerset.

While Yorkshire's Director of Cricket, David Byas, was still digesting the news, it became known that one of his other batsmen, Chris Taylor, has signed a two-year contract with Derbyshire from the start of next season.

If Yorkshire beat Hampshire in the semi-final of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy on Saturday week then Jaques' last game would be in the Lord's final on September 3.

Three Championship fixtures remain to be played after that and Byas is pondering whether to replace Jaques with his fellow countryman, Darren Lehmann, who returns to Yorkshire to see out the remainder of his contract next season.

Jaques has been in sparkling form this summer and in his last Championship innings against Derbyshire he plundered 219 to become the first Yorkshire batsman to reach 1,000 runs.

"I knew I probably had a chance of making the tour but it still came as a surprise when I was told the news," said Jaques.

"It is good to be recognised by my country and I hope it is another step towards playing Test cricket for Australia.

"I really enjoy being with Yorkshire and I hope I can help them win the C&G Trophy and also get some good Championship results so they will be well on the way to promotion by the time I leave."

Jaques added that he would love to play for Yorkshire again next season but the club had not yet made a final decision.

"I have also had approaches from other counties and something should be sorted out over the next few weeks but it would suit me fine to be back at Yorkshire," he said.

Taylor, 24, who plays Bradford League cricket for East Bierley, goes to Derbyshire with Byas's blessing although he said he was sorry to be losing him.

He made his Yorkshire debut in 2001 but has been unable to command a regular place.