Dispute escalates with star bowler (From Worcester News)

Dispute escalates with star bowler

6:00am Friday 8th January 2010 in

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WORCESTERSHIRE’S star bowler Kabir Ali has refused to report back for winter training with the club.

The 29-year-old told the New Road side he wanted to leave the County last autumn but a £60,000 compensation figure was slapped on his head.

Kabir is believed to have had an offer of a three-year contract on the table from Hampshire and is keen to be released from the final season of his current deal.

But the former England bowler, who is the only player on the Worcestershire roster not on an all-year-round contract, was expected to return to winter training on Monday.

“Hopefully, it can be sorted out as soon as possible because he’s a top player.”

Steve Rhodes

However, director of cricket Steve Rhodes said the fast bowler had not reported back with the rest of the squad.

“He is still in dispute with the club,” Rhodes said. “It is a contract dispute — that’s all I can say.

“Hopefully, it can be sorted out as soon as possible because he’s a top player.”

Kabir’s refusal to return to training could lead to the player being disciplined by the club but, with chief executive Mark Newton out of the country, any action is likely to have to wait until he returns.

Last summer, the County said they would allow players who did not want to turn out for the New Road side to leave.

When Kabir asked to be released, Worcestershire reluctantly agreed to allow him time to speak to other counties.

However, they demanded a compensation fee of £60,000 be paid, either by a new county or the player himself, to secure his release.

It is believed Hampshire did make an offer of compensation for Kabir in the autumn but it fell well short of the fee Worcestershire required.

The strike bowler missed the majority of last year with a hamstring injury before his troublesome back complaint was aggravated.

With the new season starting in April, Kabir and Worcestershire are keen for the dispute to be settled quickly so Rhodes can continue to plan for the campaign.

The snow has prevented the County players taking part in full training sessions this week but the director of cricket is unconcerned.

“There is still plenty of time,” Rhodes said.

“The most important thing is the safety of the players and staff.

“Missing a cricket session at this stage of the training isn’t a major problem.”

Meanwhile, overseas star Shakib Al Hasan, who will arrive at New Road in July, has made the final auction list for the Indian Premier League.

The world’s leading one-day all-rounder from Bangladesh will go under the hammer for the lucrative Twenty20 tournament later this month.

Shakib has been joined on the 51-name list by last season’s overseas player for Worcestershire, Ashley Noffke, and former County seamer Doug Bollinger.