Cricket Update: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Anthony-Ireland-c1065 signs two-year contract with Panthers
Paceman Anthony Ireland has confirmed his move from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Chris-Rogers-c1249, Ireland is the third major signing of Panthers
for their next season.
The pace bowler has stunned the county fans with the ball claiming 36 wickets at a bowling average of 21.77 in Division Two of the County Championship in the recently concluded 2010 season. His move to the London-based county Middlesex would reinforce its
bowling attack after the side has lost Steven Finn at the cost of Finn’s duties with the England cricket team. The side has been struggling throughout the 2010 season but now inclusion of Anthony Ireland is perceived as a windfall for the club in the next
season.
Ireland’s decision to leave the club would complicate the problems of Gloucestershire after the club failed to earn Division One status for the next season. The contract would be a serious blow for the Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, as there are talks
that the prolific batsman William Porterfield, who has compiled a tally of 531 runs at a remarkable batting average of 37.92, is all set to leave the club in favour of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Surrey-c851 Lions.
Pace bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Steve-Kirby-c2577 has already signed for Somerset for the next season, while the leading wicket take of 2010 Division Two Championship Geemal Hussain has declined to refresh his contract with the turbulent County, as he has attracted interests from
a number of counties with Division One status. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gemaal-Hussain-c1479 finished the Division Two Championship at the top spot of its wickets chart claiming 63 wickets.
The managing director of Middlesex, Angus Fraser, showed his contentment over Ireland’s decision to join his club. Fraser said that his presence in the Panther’s squad would add strength, variety and quality to the fast bowling resources of club.
"I am delighted Anthony has chosen to join Middlesex where he will add strength, variety and quality to our fast bowling resources," Middlesex's managing director of cricket, Angus Fraser, said.
"I have always been impressed with Anthony, not just as a cricketer but as a person too.”
Angus Fraser further added that Ireland is an enthusiastic cricketer who gives his best to the side in each game. The managing director of Middlesex called Anthony a fit, strong, wholehearted and committed cricketer who works extremely hard on his game
“He possesses the values I want to see in a person and I expect each member of Middlesex's playing staff to show such characteristics,” Angus Fraser said.
Anthony Ireland was also looking forward to a successful stint with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Middlesex-c817 but was quite sad while leaving Gloucestershire with fond memories of his stint with the club. Ireland called his upcoming two-year spell with Middlesex
a real challenge for him and expressed his aim to push the Panthers for honours.
"I met with Angus Fraser and was impressed with what he had to say and his vision for the club moving forward," Ireland said.
"It is a fantastic challenge for me at this stage of my career and I am really looking forward to playing regularly at Lord's and helping Middlesex push for honours.”
He also showed gratitude to the Gloucestershire players and management for their role in his, so far, successful career.
Gloucestershire CCC is facing its worst phase and for the first time in its history, the club has gotten the scare of losing its status as a venue for international cricket. Therefore, the club is consuming a major part of its compressed
financial resources to build up the County Ground rather than its playing squad.
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