Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes says the county face a huge battle trying to keep hold of wicketkeeper Steve Davies.
Pears hoping to keep England wicketkeeper but expecting a fight
Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes says the county face a huge battle trying to keep hold of wicketkeeper Steve Davies.
The 22-year-old is in the final year of his contract with the Pears and he turned down the chance of signing a long-term deal last summer, saying he wanted to keep his options open.
The England one-day player made his international debut in the Twenty20 clash with West Indies in March, and would be an attractive proposition for many counties should he become available.
Rhodes is expecting a similar situation to last season when England Lions opener Stephen Moore was wanted by a dozen counties before finally signing a new three-year deal.
"The way the rules are at the moment it could be another Stephen Moore situation. I don't think you can avoid that," said Rhodes.
Notice
"If any county wants to give 28 days' notice to speak to a player, they can do. With agents involved as well, it probably means a long drawn-out affair.
"I can't see any other way it is going to be honest. That is what may well happen. It is disappointing.
"We are not taking things for granted or Steve for granted. We always like to look after him and we want to secure his future here at Worcestershire.
"But the way things are with the rules can leave a county in limbo as to what is going on. We will address it all when we sit down with his agent and hopefully come up with a deal."
Rhodes added that Davies has not yet signalled his intentions for next year, and claimed that they could lose out if bigger clubs come in with better offers.
Indication
"What indication has Steve given? None at the moment. Whether he is keeping his cards close to his chest, I don't know. I don't think Steve wants to hurt the club in any way.
"I am pretty sure he wants his career to be here but we will wait and see.
"If it comes down to financing, which could be the only thing that could come in the way, then we have got to compete with some of the big boys.
"If we can't, that's life. We move on and find someone else. That's the way it is. But it is nice to hold your players and be able to attract good players and hopefully Steve is one that we will hold onto."
