Wage demands hamper Worcs coach

Rhodes is still in the market for a new wicketkeeper at New Road

Worcestershire's director of cricket Steve Rhodes says his attempts at signing new players are being frustrated by their wage demands.

Rhodes is hoping to add some experience to his young squad, but says affordable signings are hard to find.

"Some of the counties are now paying unbelievably big wages," Rhodes told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"It make life difficult in signing players. It puts everybody's price up, we can't afford those sorts of guys."

Rhodes added: "You have to be smart and try and get the right balance by getting good players at the right price."

The county have confirmed young wicketkeeper Ben Cox will stay at New Road on a four-year deal, after he made his debut as a 17-year-old last summer.

Rhodes also confirmed they would be in the market for an experienced wicketkeeper to replace Surrey-bound Steven Davies, but would not be drawn on names.

"For us it is important we get the right person to keep wicket for us.

"We are a side that is desperate to make sure the dressing room is strong, and that out on the field we are as one.

"We cannot have any cracks as the opposition will expose them. And the wicketkeeper is the man who can nit it all together on the field, so we want the right personality as well."

Rhodes had previously revealed wicketkeeper Steve Adshead, who has been released by Gloucestershire, will not be coming to New Road.

Also leaving Worcestershire along with Davies this winter are Simon Jones, Stephen Moore and Gareth Batty - so the county has gaps to fill.

Steve Harmison's new four-year deal at Durham is reportedly worth £600,000 - way out of reach for most counties in Division Two.

A specialist sport lawyer said earlier this week that further restrictions on work permits for overseas players had forced up salaries for the top English-qualified players.