WORCESTERSHIRE'S hopes of signing highly-rated batsman Anurag Singh have been boosted after he turned down the offer of a new two-year contract to stay with Warwickshire.

The County are believed to be favourites to sign the 25-year-old, a former captain of England Under 19s and and also during his time at Cambridge University.

Singh rejected Warwickshire's contract offer as he believes his opportunities of regular first-team cricket will be greater elsewhere.

He said: "If you assess everything purely on the facts, all the circumstances pointed to my moving on.

"The reason I have dillied and dallied for two months is because emotionally it is a huge wrench.

"I first played for Warwickshire at under 13 level, Edgbaston is home to me and I have had a great time here.

"I felt that I was playing with the axe hanging over me all the time. I felt if I failed I would be out of the side, and I don't think anyone can perform to the best of their ability in such circumstances."

Singh had a profitable run in Warwickshire's first team in the second half of last season, making 85 in their NatWest Trophy semi-final win over Hampshire and figuring in their final defeat against Gloucestershire.

He will have to move as a List One contested registration player, but several counties, including Wor-cestershire, are believed to have expressed an interest in him.