Hampshire move for Cork

Dominic Cork runs in during one of his final games for Lancashire last season

Hampshire have announced the signing of former England bowler Dominic Cork on a two-year contract.

The 37-year-old was recently released by Lancashire, having struggled throughout the season with side strains and back spasms.

Cork, a veteran of 37 Tests and 32 one-day internationals for England, will join the third county of his career, after 14 years at Derbyshire and five seasons at Lancashire.

Cork said: “I am delighted to be joining a club with so much ambition for its team and its stadium.

“I will be doing everything in my power to help them achieve major honours in all forms of the game.

“I’d like to thank Hampshire for giving me this great new opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.”

Cork was limited to nine LV County Championship appearances and eight Twenty20 Cup matches in 2008, but Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove remains confident that Cork can contribute.

Bransgrove said: “Dominic’s decision to commit the next two years of his career to Hampshire is fantastic news.

“We finished this season very strongly but it is important that we hit the ground running next season if we want to realise our ambition of winning multiple silverware.

“‘Corky’ will help us to do that by adding a wealth of experience, passion and not a little skill with both bat and ball.

“His boundless energy and enthusiasm mean that the dressing room will never be the same again and we are all looking forward to welcoming Dominic and his family to the Rose Bowl next year.”

Cork made his first-class debut for Derbyshire in 1990 against a touring New Zealand side, taking a wicket in his first over.

He took 8-53 before lunch on his 20th birthday against Essex at Derby in 1991, and was selected for the England A side during his first full season of first-class cricket.

Cork’s 7-43 against West Indies at Lord’s in 1995 was the best innings figures by an England Test debutant.

He went on to take a hat-trick against the tourists at Old Trafford in the fourth Test. In his Test career Cork took 131 wickets at an average of 29.81 and scored 864 runs.

Cork was awarded the captaincy of Derbyshire in 1998 and led the side up until his departure in 2003.

He moved to Old Trafford for the start of the 2004 season and helped the Red Rose back to promotion from Division Two of the championship.