first after move that saw him banned from Test arena

Sam Whiteman has notched his first career century for the county where he was born after a move that effectively saw him barred from playing Test cricket for Australia. The English-born Aussie made 101 for Yorkshire against Sussex on Sunday, bringing up triple figures for his new team for the first time.

Whiteman was born in Doncaster, not far from Headingley in Leeds where Yorkshire are based. He moved to Australia with his family at age 3, going on to play over 100 first-class games for Western Australia and captaining Australia A as well.

Up until this year he was eligible for play Test cricket for Australia. But in January he signed a three-year deal with Yorkshire in County cricket, and did so as a 'local' player due to the fact he has an English passport.

Under ICC rules, he now has to register as an 'overseas' player if he wants to continue playing in Australian domestic leagues - including the Sheffield Shield for Western Australia. As per the rules, that makes him ineligible for Australia selection at international level.

The 33-year-old was unlikely to earn Test selection anyway, although a spot has opened up with the retirement of Usman Khawaja. Both Whiteman and Jake Lehmann have made the same move, with Lehmann signing to play for Hampshire as a local player.

Sam Whiteman's move vindicated by century

Whiteman said in January: "I'm thrilled to have signed with my home county. The timing is right for me to return to the UK and once the opportunity arose for me to sign with Yorkshire, it was one that was too good for me to turn down."

On Sunday he vindicated his decision with a classy ton off 188 balls. Unbeaten on 73 overnight, the left-hander moved determinedly to his hundred and brought up triple figures with a lovely six down the ground off spinner James Coles.

Whiteman described it as a 'special' moment, especially with his Doncaster-based father Richard watching on from the stands. "To score my first hundred, especially at home, for Yorkshire was special," he said. "It's still a nice wicket, but I felt good out there. The spinner was on, and if it's up there you might as well go for it. Luckily, it came out of the middle."

Whiteman was congratulated by England legend Joe Root, who was batting with the West Australian at the time. Playing his first innings in first-class cricket since the Ashes, Root was dismissed agonisingly short of his own century for 96. Aussie bowler Jhye Richardson made 35 at No.10 as Yorkshire passed Sussex's monumental total of 502 to make 511.

Click here to read article