Ed Giddins' agent, David Manasseh, told CricInfo that Giddins was "delighted" to have agreed a deal with Surrey.

"He was impressed with the ambition of the club. Surrey really are 'top of the tree' at present, and Ed felt that playing at such a successful club would aid his chances of winning back a Test place. He felt he needed a change of scenery, and Surrey are the top team.

"It's a good deal. Money wasn't the motivation; in fact there were slightly higher offers from other counties. It's no secret that many counties were interested."

Giddins, who is currently regaining fitness in preparation for the next county season, joked to CricInfo: "After they tore down the Bull Ring in Birmingham, it just wasn't the same for me."

Ed Giddins Photo CricInfo

Giddins has experienced plenty of highs and lows in his colourful career to date. The man of the match award against Zimbabwe at Lord's last summer (5-15 in the first innings) contrasts with a lengthy ban – and release from Sussex - when he was found guilty of taking drugs in 1996. He has also found the time to run a profitable business selling Christmas trees and to be nominated as one of Britain's 'most eligible bachelors' by Company magazine.

Despite his Lord's heroics, Giddins only managed 29 wickets in the whole of the (injury-hit) 2000 season. At 29 years old, however, and with a history of surprising the critics, his signing could prove to be one of the best of the close season. With Bicknell, Tudor, Giddins and Greenidge all competing for the new ball, Surrey will have strength in depth and an attack to rival any in the country.

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