Ian Harvey to leave Gloucestershire

Ian Harvey has rejected an offer for a new contract from Gloucestershire, and has hinted he may look to join a new county for the 2004 season. His inventive bowling and hard-hitting batting has been instrumental in Gloucestershire's one-day successes over the past five seasons, but he is set to return home to Australia to weigh up his options.

"I wish to take time to consider my future over the winter and may well take a break next summer," he admitted. "Should I decide to play county cricket next season, I do feel I need a fresh challenge." Gloucestershire have won six trophies since 1999, when Harvey joined the county as a replacement for Courtney Walsh, and if they can see off Yorkshire in the final round of Championship matches, they will cap their season with promotion to the First Division.

Gloucestershire chief executive Tom Richardson said: "We made Ian the best offer we could and are extremely disappointed he will not be continuing with us. He has played magnificently for us on numerous occasions, and we are extremely grateful to him for all he has done for the club."