Worcestershire to let Jones leave

Worcestershire have confirmed that former England bowler Simon Jones is not to be offered a contract extension.

New Road director of cricket Steve Rhodes said it had been a very difficult decision.

"We all admire the effort Simon has put in to regain full fitness and we know he is determined to be fit for the 2010 season," he said.

"However we are not in the position to offer him a new contract so he is free to talk to other counties."

Jones joined Worcestershire from Glamorgan for the start of the 2008 season and made a sizeable contribution as his new county was promoted back to the top division of the County Championship.

However, he picked up an injury towards the end of last season and despite his best efforts to regain fitness he was ruled out for the whole of the current campaign.

Rhodes readily acknowledged the paceman's efforts and the part he played in that 2008 success.

"His 42 wickets at 18.02 each helped us secure promotion and we really do hope that he can win his fitness battle and resume his career," he said.

"This has been a difficult decision but is in the best interests of the club," he added.

The New Road club has recently been linked with Yorkshire's Matthew Hoggard.

However, Worcestershire's chief executive Mark Newton told BBC Hereford & Worcester the former England bowler would not be joining them.

"There has been talk of our pursuing Matthew Hoggard, but we are not going to pursue that one," he said.

"But we will continue to look to see who is available and there don't seem to be too many seam bowlers, which is what we need."

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