Worcestershire receive Kabir request

Worcestershire have not won in the championship in Kabir Ali's absence since 2006, underlining his importance

England paceman Kabir Ali has dealt Worcestershire another blow by asking permission to speak to other counties.

Kabir, 28, has one year remaining of his current contract but wants to explore other possible options.

Worcestershire will meet Kabir and his representatives on Monday before discussing his request at a board meeting later that day.

The county, who are bottom of LV= County Championship Division One, are already resigned to losing England one-day wicketkeeper Steve Davies and spinner Gareth Batty at the end of the campaign after the pair signed three-year contracts with Surrey.

Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton said: “I can confirm we have received a request from Kabir for permission to speak to other counties.

“We are due to meet Kabir and his representative on Monday and the matter will be discussed at a board meeting on Monday evening.”

Kabir, from Birmingham, has been with the county for a decade and has taken more than 400 first-class wickets.

Hamstring and back problems have restricted Kabir to just two championship matches during the current season. Worcestershire have not won a championship match without him since 2006.