After efforts to keep Bob Woolmer as their director of coaching came to nothing, Warwickshire have appointed former Australian Test batsman John Inverarity to the post on a two-year contract. Inverarity has had experience of English cricket before, making a good impression when he has helped Kent in the past. Woolmer is to return to his home in South Africa on a permanent basis.

Meanwhile Warwickshire have offered a contract to New Zealand opening bowler Shane Bond to become one of their two overseas players next season. Bond took the place of Shaun Pollock earlier in the season when the South African went on international duty, taking 12 wickets in three matches. Warwickshire are also hoping that Jonathan Trott, the Boland opening batsman with English qualifications, will accept a contract to play at Edgbaston next season.

Gloucestershire are pursuing Mohammad Akram, the Pakistani Test pace bowler, but not as an overseas player. Akram is married to an English girl and hopes to have a passport in time for next season. He played for Northamptonshire in 1997. Ian Harvey has ended speculatikon that he would not continue as one of the overseas players next season by signing a new contract. Harvey was influential in Gloucestershire's run of success in one-day cricket.

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