Hughes To Join Worcestershire For Whole Of 2012

6 January 2012

Phil Hughes will be hoping to rediscover his form for Worcestershire in 2012.

©REUTERS/Daniel Munoz. Picture Supplied by Action Images

Worcestershire have formally confirmed that Australian batsman Phil Hughes will be joining them as overseas player for the entire 2012 season. The 23 year-old had originally been expected to join the Royals for the start of their Friends Life t20 campaign and continue through to the end of the season, but, since being dropped from the Australian Test side, Hughes made clear his wish to play a full season of county cricket.

Hughes said, “I'm thrilled to have been able to agree terms with Worcestershire to extend my 2012 contract to the full county season. I haven't played a full season of domestic cricket for more than two years and I can't wait to get to England and meet my new teammates. I've heard so many positive things about their structure, environment and wicket which are all really favourable for what I want to achieve in the coming 12 months."

Worcestershire Director of Cricket, Steve Rhodes, added, "We are delighted to have available a player of Phil's stature for the whole 2012 season. This was our original plan when we first set out in search of Phil's signature and it will give the dressing room a real boost. Having spoken to Phil he views playing a full English season as a fantastic opportunity to score plenty of runs and, in turn, it is hoped this will bring success to the team. We are looking forward to him joining up with the squad at the start of April for what will be an exciting 2012 season."

Hughes has played four Tests for Australia this winter and averaged less than 20 before being dropped in favour of Ed Cowan. The Macksville-born left-hander has previously had spells with Middlesex in 2009 and Hampshire in 2010.

In one other line of county news, Gloucestershire CCC have extended their sponsorship agreement with law firm Clarke Willmott LLP; meaning that the company’s logo will appear on their shirts in all LV= County Championship and Clydesdale Bank 40 matches in 2012.

Open an account with bet365 today and qualify for up to £200 in free bets with our fantastic 100% Deposit Bonus.

Other Top Stories

County Cricket Round-Up - 22nd May

There was only one match in the LV= County Championship today, with Somerset kicking off their match against Durham at Taunton at midday following an overnight party to welcome the Olympic torch.

CW County Player Of The Week - Paul Horton

Following on, with his team 360 runs behind on first innings, Paul Horton batted for a day and a half to deny Championship leaders Warwickshire a win at Edgbaston. His marathon knock of 137 not out from 362 balls took Lancashire to safety and ended, or at least brought a temporary halt to, a dismal run of form that sees the defending champions lie eighth in Division One this year.

County Cricket Round-Up - 20th May

There were wins for the Unicorns, Lancashire, Middlesex, Sussex, Surrey, Yorkshire and Hampshire in today's Clydesdale Bank 40 action.

County Cricket Round-Up - 19th May

All six of today's matches ended in draws as the improving fortunes of the nation's batsmen, coupled with the usual English 'summer' weather, meant that the bowlers enjoyed little luck on the final day of matches in the seventh round of the LV= County Championship.

County Cricket Round-Up- 18th May

Derbyshire ensured that they will end the seventh round of matches in the LV= County Championship at the top of Division Two following a third day trouncing of bottom-placed Glamorgan at the County Ground. Elsewhere, there were notable performances from Stuart Meaker, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Anthony McGrath.

County Cricket Round-Up - 17th May

The batsmen again enjoyed the best of the running on the second day of matches in round seven of the LV= County Championship. There were centuries for Michael Bates, Martin Guptill, Wayne Madsen, Steven Davies and Rikki Clarke, while the bowlers were led by David Masters who ended with six wickets at Grace Road.