Joe Clarke, the Nottinghamshire batsman, is set to sign for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League.

Clarke, 23, was the fifth highest run-scorer in this year's Vitality T20 Blast. His strike-rate - 175.00 runs per 100 balls - was better than anyone else in the top 50 run-scorers in the competition.

While he is yet to represent England at senior level and has never previously appeared in a T20 franchise competition, he has long been thought of as one of the most exciting talents in the English game.

He made five Championship centuries in his first full season - a season which started while he was still a teenager - and might well have already graduated to the international cricket had his career not been temporarily derailed after he was considered unavailable for selection due to disciplinary issues.

He is understood to have been considered for a place in England limited-overs squad for the tour to South Africa but, with the likes of Dawid Malan, the No.1-ranked T20I batsman at present, and Joe Root, England's Test captain, fighting for their places in one format or another, Clarke has been obliged to bide his time.

Clarke is understood to be a temporary replacement for Jason Roy at Perth Scorchers although teams can field three overseas players in their XI for the next two seasons. Roy has England responsibilities during the tournament.