'Ice' Berg heads for Hampshire

Hampshire have given Gareth Berg, the former Middlesex allrounder, a contract until the end of the season. Berg, 34, will be available in all formats for the club - only a few months after fearing that injury would force him into retirement.

Berg struck more than 4,000 runs and took 221 wickets for Middlesex, before shoulder surgery ruled him out for the majority of the 2014 season, causing Middlesex reluctantly to release him at the end of last season.

Berg now believes that he has made a recovery that he did not dare to expect: "I've worked really hard on my fitness over the winter and from what I was told how the body would be, to how it actually is now, is completely different," he said.

"As a sportsman you've got to work against the odds and my body is probably in the best condition that it's been in three years.

"I thought that it would be nice to stay at one club my whole career, but this is a great fresh start for me and hopefully I can perform well for Hampshire in the season ahead."

Hampshire's director of cricket, Giles White said: "The immediate focus is to get Gareth fit and playing ahead of the season. We have agreed a deal that supports this and I am confident that he will play an important role at Hampshire this year.

"Gareth is the type of player that can influence games with both bat and ball and he will add balance and experience to the squad; it's great to have him here."