Rod: Our bowling attack can match Durham (From Daily Echo)

Rod: Our bowling attack can match Durham

7:50am Tuesday 2nd February 2010 in

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HAMPSHIRE chairman Rod Bransgrove believes the capture of Kabir Ali puts their bowling attack in the same league as Durham.

Last year’s county champions boasted a fearsome seam attack, which included England bowlers Steve Harmison, Liam Plunkett and Graham Onions.

But Hampshire will be confident this year that they can stand toe-to-toe with Durham in that respect.

Kabir now joins a group that includes his former Worcestershire teammate Simon Jones, veteran Dominic Cork and James Tomlinson.

Bransgrove believes that line-up is one that could help propel Hampshire towards a strong County Championship bid.

“We’ve recognised from Durham’s success that having a strong battery of seam bowlers is a very important ingredient in going the whole distance in English cricket,” said the Hawks supremo.

“Also, the different formats of the game now dictate that you need to have a first team squad probably in excess of 16.

“I think we’ve built up to that level of squad now.

“Kabir brings tremendous experience and a wicket taking pedigree, which I think is going to stand us in very good stead as we now go into the new season.”

Talking specifically about Durham, Bransgrove added: “We’re going to be pretty much in that space this year and it does of course mean that not everybody is going to play in every game.

“So that brings a new dimension to be managed, but it’s definitely a much better problem to have than not having enough players to be able to get 11 fit and effective players out on the pitch at one time.”

Bransgrove was delighted to have secured Kabir’s services, on a three-year contract.

The 29-year-old put pen to paper last Friday, after finally negotiating his release from Worcestershire, more than four months after declaring his intentions to leave.

The New Road outfit were initially demanding £60,000 in compensation to release Kabir from the final year of his contract.

But, after a lot of wrangling, they finally agreed to accept a sum that is understood to be significantly less than that.

Bransgrove was relaxed, though, about the time it took for the deal to come to fruition.

“We met for the first time in September and we had a discussion,” he said.

“We couldn’t conclude it at that moment, but really as soon as Worcestershire indicated they were happy to release Kabir then I think the deal was done very quickly.”

When asked if he would shed any light on how much compensation was paid, Bransgrove said: “No, I think this is now a time for looking forward.

“What has happened has happened and we’re just very optimistic having signed a really good player and I think from here on in we just look forward and put the past behind us.”