COUNTY_NEWS_OVERSEAS_PLAYERS_05SEP93

County News - Status of Overseas Players, 5 Sep 93

DERBYSHIRE - unclear whether or not Ian Bishop will have recovered from his back injury in time for next year, or whether Derbys would even be willing to take the chance. If not, Derbys have got a pretty good pace attack anyways but no spinners at all - maybe a spot for Warne or Kumble?

DURHAM - have just confirmed that they will retain Anderson Cummins for another year. Dean Jones is looking for another team.

ESSEX - have confirmed that Salim Malik will not be retained. They would like to have Mark Waugh back, but unless they sign a top class English pace bowler (maybe Paul Jarvis?) they will go for a paceman. Top of their list is Courtney Walsh, if he can't agree a new contract with Gloucs; otherwise, probably an Australian (Reiffel?)

GLAMORGAN - Viv Richards is definitely retiring. No replacement has been signed as yet, although the favorite is Otis Gibson (Barbados and Border).

GLOUCESTERSHIRE - contract negotiations with Courtney Walsh are proceeding. No sign one way or another yet what will happen.

HAMPSHIRE - Malcolm Marshall is retiring; Winston Benjamin, released by Leics, has been signed as his replacement.

KENT - Carl Hooper will return.

LANCASHIRE - no decision yet on whether Lancs will accept Wasim Akram for half a season only (since Pak tour SL in July) or whether they will look elsewhere.

LEICESTERSHIRE - Winston Benjamin has been released; Phil Simmons has signed a two year contract.

MIDDLESEX - Desmond Haynes' contract is up this year, no word yet on whether he'll stay on or not.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE - Curtley Ambrose will return.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE - Jimmy Adams, the West Indies batsman, has signed a 1-year contract. Chris Cairns will return in 1995.

SOMERSET - situation with Mushtaq Ahmed is the same as Akram. No decision yet.

SURREY - Waqar Younis situation same as Akram/Mushtaq. No decision yet.

WARWICKSHIRE - Manoj Prabhakar has agreed (subject to Ind board approval) a 1-year contract. Allen Donald will return in 1995.

WORCESTERSHIRE - Kenny Benjamin will return.

YORKSHIRE - Richie Richardson will probably return.

Other news is that Paul Jarvis and Ashley Metcalfe have been released by Yorkshire; both will attract a lot of interest elsewhere. Alan Mullally, the English-born Aussie paceman, has turned down the latest contract offer from Leics and if he goes, there'll be a long queue. Essex will probably be right at the front. Lancashire are due to announce their contract situation for next year today; given the miserable time they've had recently and the dressing room conflicts a few heads will probably roll.

Thanks to Don Hughes on r.s.c.