Brad Hogg signs for Warwickshire

Warwickshire have confirmed the signing of the Australian spin bowler Brad Hogg as one of their overseas players for 2004. Hogg, 32, was a member of the side which won the World Cup in South Africa earlier this year, and is currently playing for Australia in the one-day TVS Cup tournament in India.

Hogg, a left-hander, started out as a specialist batsman and remains a fine strokemaker who bats in the middle/lower order for Western Australia, but he is now better known as an unorthodox left-arm wrist spinner. He is also a magnificent fielder.

Dennis Amiss, Warwickshire's chief executive, said: "We are delighted to be able to agree terms with Brad to enable him to join us next season, and his world-class left-arm spin bowling will provide the control and penetration we have been searching for. He was, without doubt, one of the most impressive bowlers in the last World Cup, taking 13 wickets at 24.76 apiece, and he will make an enormous difference to our bowling line-up."