Cricket: English county wants Hamish Marshall

Black Caps batsman Hamish Marshall has been approached by English county cricket side Gloucestershire to fill one of their overseas players spots for 2006.

Gloucestershire coach Mark Alleyne told the BBC today they had contacted Marshall, 26, about filling a top-order batting spot once he had finished his international commitments for the 2005/06 season next May.

"He comes highly recommended by a number of respected coaches around the world, but nothing has happened yet," Alleyne said.

Marshall was currently touring South Africa with the Blacks Caps.

After winning New Zealand cricket's top batting prize for 2004/05, Marshall, who debuted in 2000, has struggled to post runs in the current one-day series and during the tour of Zimbabwe in August.

He averages 48.58 from nine tests, but has seen his average slip from around 38 to 32.74 after 42 one-day internationals.

Gloucestershire have strong connections with New Zealand cricket through former coach John Bracewell and batsman Craig Spearman.

They are looking to bounce back next summer after being relegated in both the County Championship and one-day Totesport League.

- NZPA