Nottinghamshire make new signings

Nottinghamshire have awarded 12-month contracts to right-handed batsman Chris Hewison, 21, and 22-year-old all-rounder Gareth Clough.

Both youngsters impressed county coaches during season-long trials at Trent Bridge last summer.

Clough is a competitive 22-year-old all-rounder who was born and bred in Leeds and was previously with his native county of Yorkshire.

Hewison, aged 21, is a talented right-handed batsman from the north east, taken on by Notts after he was released by Durham at the end of the 1999 season.

Said Assistant Cricket Manager Mick Newell: "Both played all season in the Second XI and were very impressive, demonstrating they are excellent cricketers.

"Clough is a handy all-rounder who bats well and bowls right arm medium pace. He is also an excellent fielder as well as a great competitor and we expect him to make a big impact next season particularly in the one day competitions.

"Hewison is another superb fielder but more importantly is a very technically correct batsman who plays straight and is among the best around in his age group.

"He was just 19 when Durham let him go and it is to our advantage that someone with so much talent and potential was released so young."

Hewison was the leading run scorer for the Second XI in 2000 - passing 50 on five occasions - and has already sampled first team cricket at Notts when he made his debut in the home victory over Glamorgan in September.

Clough hit 400 runs in the Second XI Championship and topped the bowling averages, taking his 37 wickets at a cost of just 19.05 apiece.

The duo bring the total of new players signed by Rice during the winter to five. Clough and Hewison will line up next season alongside Greg Smith and Kevin Pietersen, who have opted to move to English cricket from South Africa, plus Australian overseas star Greg Blewett.