Marshall could change counties

Hamish Marshall's decision to stay in England's county cricket as a local player could earn him four times the salary he would receive for staying in New Zealand. Marshall said he stressed about his move for a fortnight before emailing his team-mates to confirm he was remaining in England.

"They all understand my reasons and while Braces [John Bracewell] was disappointed, he understood that these things happen," Marshall told The Dominion Post. "I've got much respect for Braces as a coach, a person and a friend, so telling him was not easy. I haven't had a lot of contact with Flem [Stephen Fleming], but I think our paths may cross in the next week or so."

The paper reported Marshall was expected to leave Gloucestershire and switch to a higher-profile team, which could earn him NZ$210,000 a season for the next three years, compared to the NZ$48,000 he was guaranteed if he accepted a New Zealand contract. Marshall said his Irish passport had always allowed him the freedom to become a local player in England but he had not considered it seriously until now.

"I guess to make a decision like I have, sure, you have to have something there, you'd be foolish to do it otherwise, but I can't really say much more at the moment," he said. "When I was over here an opportunity came to me and then New Zealand Cricket came out with their contracts and what they offered me was fair, but unless you are in the top echelon of players the guaranteed money is not great.

"If you are a fringe player there is not that certainty and that is what tipped me to the county move. In the end I took the plunge and right now I'm quite comfortable with it. I'm going to miss playing for New Zealand and I know my family is really going to miss me playing for them, but the security of playing over here for the next four years was too good to pass up."

Marshall conceded he was disappointed that he failed to make the most of his talent during an international career he described as "patchy". "I made a great start then went on an emotional rollercoaster, so I went through everything you could, but I wouldn't give it away for anything," he said. "Last year in county cricket I found myself as a first-class batsman and I thought I could take that to New Zealand level, but I struggled a little bit."

He has not ruled out a return to New Zealand in the future and there is even the possibility he could stay on with Northern Districts in 2007-08 as an "overseas" player. "Nothing has been discussed yet, but I'd definitely think about it," he said. "I hold Northern dear to my heart but they may want a bowler rather than a batter. We'll just have to wait and see."