Maher rejoins Glamorgan

Glamorgan Cricket have announced today that Australian opening batsman Jimmy Maher will join them for the remainder of the 2003 season. Maher, 29, played for the county in 2001, has recently captained both Queensland and Australia 'A' and was a member of the Australian squad that won the ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa in March. Subject to the granting of a work permit, he is expected to join Glamorgan in early July and has agreed a 1½ year contract.

Glamorgan Chief Executive Mike Fatkin said: "In some ways it was a difficult decision to take as we've taken quite a strong line on the number of overseas and EU-qualified players coming into the county game but the recent news that Steve James is going to miss the rest of the season, together with injuries to other key players, has forced us to revisit that policy.

The Club hasn't changed its views on non-qualified players. We continue to promote and develop young Welsh cricketers wherever we can and have an enviable track record in terms of the percentage of home-grown talent in the full time squad. But we have to recognize the importance of staying competitive and once the decision to strengthen the team had been taken following confirmation that Steve would be out for the remainder of the summer, the choice of who to bring in wasn't that difficult for the cricket management."

Glamorgan Captain Robert Croft said: "We know what we're getting with Jimmy and that's one of the reasons for checking on his availability first. He fitted in extremely well a couple of years ago, both on and off the field, and will provide solidity at the top of the order as we bid to win promotion to the Championship first division and defend our National League one-day title.

We've had a difficult run with injuries this year but whilst prepared to continue with our policy of encouraging our own young players, the loss of Steve for the season meant we had to reassess that policy and look to do something positive to strengthen the squad in the short term. Jimmy's signing is a statement of the Club's intent and we look forward to his arrival."

Jimmy Maher said: "I must admit that the approach came as a bit of a surprise because I know how strongly Glamorgan feel about promoting their own players and I was aware from the conversations I'd had with the Club that they'd been reluctant to sign a second overseas player. I actually applaud that stance but a change in circumstances has opened a door for me and it's an opportunity I didn't want to miss. I loved my year in Wales in 2001 and have followed the players and kept in very close contact with a number of people there over the past couple of years.

I look forward to rejoining the players and playing my part in helping Glamorgan achieve success in both forms of the game. Obviously the opportunity has arisen largely as a result of Steve's injury and that inevitably evokes a few mixed feelings. Steve's been a fantastic player for Glamorgan and I would add my own best wishes to him for a speedy recovery. However, I'm just glad to help out and in addition to trying to score lots of runs I recognize the emphasis the Club places on the development of young Welsh cricketers and, just as Mike Kasprowicz has done a lot of work in helping the bowlers, I intend to play my part in helping the young batsmen too."