4/1/03 - County poised to reveal Hayward

The County, however, were today remaining tight-lipped about speculation linking the 25-year-old to New Road.

The red-hot rumours involving Hayward were not denied by Worcestershire who plan to wait until the necessary paper work has been finalised before officially announcing the name of their latest new capture.

The County revealed last month that they had signed South African all-rounder Andrew Hall as well as 'a fast bowler with Test match experience who due to a confidentiality clause cannot be named until the New Year'.

The mystery player the County have lined up has apparently indicated he will be available for the whole of next season suggesting that, if Hayward is their man, he will be retiring from international cricket.

The Cape Province-born right arm fast bowler is performing for South Africa in their current Second Test against Pakistan in Cape Town.

In the first Test, which the South Africans won by ten wickets in Durban, Hayward took 5-56 in the first innings and followed up with 2-63.

Before the current match he had taken 47 wickets at an average of 28.02 in 13 Tests.

He has also played in 21 one-day internationals collecting 21 wickets at 40.85 apiece.

Hayward made his first-class debut for Eastern Province B against the Zimbabwe Board Xl at Harare during the 1995-6 season and arrived on the Test scene against England at Port Elizabeth in 1999-2000.

So far he has stacked up nearly 250 first-class wickets at an average of 28.63.

When Worcestershire's Director of Cricket Tom Moody officially announced last month that he had completed the signing of two new overseas for next season, he said: "I am delighted to have secured the services of two international players who will add real quality to our side."

As well as Hall, and possibly Hayward, the County have also snapped up fast bowler Dave Wigley and batsman Stephen Moore on university contracts.