Hampshire sign all-rounder Cork

Cork played 37 Tests for England, taking 131 wickets

Hampshire have signed all-rounder Dominic Cork on a two-year contract.

The 37-year-old former England Test player was released by Lancashire in August after the county declined to offer him a new deal for 2009.

"I am delighted to be joining a club with so much ambition," said Cork, who had been linked with a move to County Championship winners Durham.

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

Cork expressed his disappointment after his release by Lancashire, who decided against offering him a new contract in favour of investing in younger players.

Old Trafford captain Stuart Law said he had not been consulted on the decision, adding "very few players can do what he does on a cricket field".

606: DEBATE I've read a rumour that Duncan Fletcher could be linked with coaching Hampshire and that Michael Vaughan may follow too 5_wicket_haul

However, Lancashire's loss could be Hampshire's gain and ambitious chairman Rod Bransgrove believes his latest signing can help his county mount a serious challenge for silverware next season.

Bransgrove told BBC Radio Solent: "There's plenty of cricket left in him. He's still desperate to win silverware.

"That's exactly what we are. So he fits very well with us and his commitment will help to take his team-mates with him out on the pitch."

Cork joined Lancashire in 2003 after spending 13 seasons with Derbyshire.

He claimed 20 Championship wickets from nine matches in 2008, with best figures of 3-33, as well as 162 runs from 11 innings.

As an England player, he appeared in 37 Tests, saving his best moments for the two home series against West Indies in 1995 and 2000.

Those two rubbers included a hat-trick in 1995 at Old Trafford, figures of 7-43 at Lord's the same year, and a match-winning unbeaten 33 in 2000, also at Lord's.