The England and Wales Cricket Board has given Shane Bond the go-ahead to play for Hampshire this season.

The New Zealand fast bowler's availability was is in doubt because of his involvement in the Indian Cricket League, the rebel Twenty20 competition rivalling the official Indian Premier League.

But he is now able to fulfil his contract to play for Hampshire for the first two months of the county season - starting against champions Sussex at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.

Rose Bowl plc managing director Glenn Delve said: "It's been a long process and at times there was quite considerable doubt as to whether Shane would be able to play for us.

"But now he's been registered we're very excited to have a strike bowler of that qulaity."

The ECB has also allowed Hamish Marshall, Jason Gillespie, Saqlain Mushtaq, Boyd Rankin, Johan Louw, Alfonso Thomas,Dominic Telo, Ryan Harris and Pedro Collins to play for their respective counties this summer, despite their ICL involvement.

But Wavell Hinds, Johan Van der Wath, Andrew Hall and Justin Kemp have not had their applications approved.

Meanwhile, Hampshire manager Paul Terry has confirmed that Billy Taylor will not be playing first-class cricket this summer.

Taylor has only been offered a one-day contract for the forthcoming season but despite seeing him take 4-50 in a pre-season friendly against Northants, Terry said: "Billy's position hasn't changed as we want to give more opportunities to David Balcombe, James Tomlinson and David Griffiths this season."

After bowling Northants out for 369, Hampshire responded with 226 yesterday.

Chris Benham (59) top scored and Jimmy Adams and Richard Morris both contributed 24.

Hampshire play two one-day pre-season friendlies against Gloucestershire today and tomorrow before beginning a three-day friendly against Cardiff UCCE at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.