ESSEX are in a “win, win” situation so far as this season’s overseas signing Rob Quiney is concerned.

That’s the view of head coach Paul Grayson with regard to the 30-year-old batsman, who won two Test caps for Australia, both against South Africa last November.

Quiney has initially been signed for the first three months of the season, which means if he impresses sufficiently at Essex he could earn a call-up to Australia’s squad for the Ashes Series against England in this country starting the following month.

Grayson said: “He has only signed up until the start of the FL t20 competition which begins at the end of June.

“We are in a win, win situation because if he scores a lot of runs and helps us to win matches he may get called up for the Test Series.

“If he doesn’t then we will have the likes of Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah coming back in to strengthen the batting. If those lads are playing well we may decide to look at other options in the second half of the season.

“We have already discussed it with Rob and we are hoping he will have a big impact on the team. He is desperate to play county cricket and do well for the team.”

Bopara and Shah plus all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate will all miss matches in the first half of the summer due to playing abroad.

Quiney said of his possible Ashes selection: “I am not looking too far forward. To play another Test match would be nice, but I have been entrusted with responsibilities here at Essex and that is all I am worried about.”