Hilfenhaus open to county move

Ben Hilfenhaus, the Tasmania quick bowler, said he is open to playing county cricket next year with Gloucestershire having already made their interest very clear.

They approached Hilfenhaus in September, but he won't be making any decisions until the end of the Australian season and his strong domestic form could earn him an international recall. Before the current round of Sheffield Shield matches he had taken 15 wickets at 14.13 in three games.

"I've had some county offers in the past and it's nice when a team like Gloucestershire is aware of my performances for Tasmania," Hilfenhaus told the Bristol Evening Post. "At this stage, my focus is on getting through the season for Tasmania and staying fit. I want to be consistent in every form of the game and to keep improving.

"I've said before that I would be open to the possibility of playing county cricket for a shorter stint instead of a whole season, and that's pretty much how I feel about playing for Gloucestershire next year.

"I won't be making any decisions about county cricket until the end of the season for Tasmania and my manager will keep Gloucestershire informed of my progress."

Hilfenhaus has made three appearances for Australia - two in Twenty20 internationals and a solitary ODI. He was selected for the 2008 tour of West Indies before being ruled out with a stress fracture of his back.