On The Circuit
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Luciano Pavarotti and Billy Joel are not names Hampshire would normally single out as reasons for financial failure
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
Luciano Pavarotti and Billy Joel are not names Hampshire would normally single out as reasons for financial failure. But with the last yearly loss a reported £900,000, it was a major setback when their Rose Bowl concerts did not deliver.
Joel sold only around half his 20,000 tickets and the ailing fat man failed to sing at all. When heavy rain washed out the televised day-nighter with Surrey, Hampshire never got the chance to show off their £250,000 stillpristine floodlights or make the most of an expected big crowd.
There were heart-stopping moments, too, when the oneday series with Pakistan was in danger of being cancelled. That would have cost Hampshire another £250,000. Rod Bransgrove, the chairman, says Hampshire are getting the better of their problems but, with the days of big-money signings drawing to a (temporary) close, the county are pleased to see their academy bearing cheaper fruit.
Chris Benham is developing in the top order and watch out, down the line, for home-produced Tom Burrows, Mitchell Stokes, Kevin Latouf and, coming fast, a spin bowler, Liam Dawson.
Pat Symes
Full postPat Symes
Thomas moves on
Darren Thomas played a major part in a golden era for Glamorgan but at 31 he has left the club during his benefit year
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
Darren Thomas played a major part in a golden era for Glamorgan but at 31 he has left the club during his benefit year. A downturn in his bowling over the last two seasons
Full postSomerset secure White
Cameron White, the Australian allrounder, will be returning to Somerset next season after agreeing a new deal with the club
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
Cameron White, the Australian allrounder, will be returning to Somerset next season after agreeing a new deal with the club. White, who hit two Twenty20 centuries in 2006 including a world record 141 against Worcestershire, will be one of the club's two overseas signings, with a second to be announced at a later date.
Brian Rose, the director of cricket, told the club website: "We are delighted to have reached agreement with Cameron for the 2007 season. He proved himself a one-day match-winner with the bat this summer and I am sure our supporters will share our pleasure in signing him again.
"He is still young and improving so we look forward to helping his development as a world class performer. The prospect of having him and Ian Blackwell in our one-day batting order is tremendous.
"Our other overseas target will also be a batsman so we are looking forward to being exceptionally strong in that department next season."
Full postEalham extends Notts contract
Mark Ealham will continue playing county cricket past his 39th birthday after extending his contract with Nottinghamshire until the end of the 2008 season.
Will
25-Feb-2013
Mark Ealham will continue playing county cricket past his 39th birthday after extending his contract with Nottinghamshire until the end of the 2008 season.
"I have really enjoyed my time at Notts and hopefully we can enjoy further success," Ealham told BBC Sport.
Full postBirt signs new deal
Travis Birt, the Tasmanian batsman, is one of three Derbyshire players offered new contracts for 2007
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
Travis Birt, the Tasmanian batsman, is one of three Derbyshire players offered new contracts for 2007. Hassan Adnan, the middle-order batsman, and Tom Lungley, the medium-pacer, have signed one-year deals along with Birt.
Full postBichel cleared for final match
Andy Bichel has been given permission by Queensland Cricket to play for Essex in their final County Championship match at Leicestershire next week.
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
Andy Bichel has been given permission by Queensland Cricket to play for Essex in their final County Championship match at Leicestershire next week.
Bichel had originally been due to return to Queensland on September 14, but he will now return home after the conclusion of Essex's domestic season on September 23.
David East, the Essex chief executive said: "We are extremely grateful to Queensland Cricket for their co-operation in this matter. Andy has played a major role in our success this year since arriving in June and we hope he can continue that form through to the end of the season."
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