Matthew Maynard's presence as player-coach at Otago this winter has been enhanced by the championship success of his Glamorgan side. He is due to return to New Zealand in a month's time.

Three counties - Sussex, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire - are awaiting a decision by Shane Warne by the end of the month, hoping the Australian leg-spinner will join them as their overseas player.

Warwickshire, who have agreed terms with Brian Lara, and Kent, who would like Carl Hooper to return, are waiting for a final decision from the West Indies authorities about the forthcoming Caribbean domestic season, which could be extended until beyond April.

Stuart Law has agreed to return for another season as Essex's overseas player next year, and David East, the former Essex wicketkeeper, is to become commercial manager at Chelmsford.

Surrey are more likely to ask Saqlain Mushtaq, the Pakistan off-spinner, to return than sign Brendon Julian, the Australia all-rounder, again. Saqlain took 32 championship wickets in less than half a season, including a hat-trick against Middlesex.

Overseas Players Next Year

Derbyshire: Saeed Anwar; Durham: David Boon; Essex: Stuart Law; Glamorgan: Waqar Younis; Gloucs: Courtney Walsh; Hampshire: to be decided; Kent: Carl Hooper (provisional); Lancashire: Wasim Akram; Leicestershire: Phil Simmons; Middlesex: Greg Blewett; Northants: to be decided; Notts: to be decided; Somerset: Mushtaq Ahmed; Surrey: Saqlain Mushtaq (provisional); Sussex: to be decided; Warwicks: Brian Lara (provisional); Worcestershire: Tom Moody; Yorkshire: Darren Lehmann.