Udal makes retirement U-turn (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Udal makes retirement U-turn

9:08am Tuesday 4th December 2007 in General By Graham Merry

JUST two months after announcing his retirement from Hampshire Cricket, Shaun Udal will be back playing in the County Championship - not with the Hawks, but with the Middlesex Crusaders.

The Basingstoke-based player has signed a two-year deal to continue playing.

The 39-year-old played his final game for the Hawks at Old Trafford in September to end a 20-year career with his home county, and was honoured on Sunday night at the BBC South Sports Awards.

Talking about his decision to return to first-class cricket, Udal said: "Three counties spoke to me at the end of the season, but Middlesex kept on calling me.

"In the end I thought I am still fit and I can play, and with Jamie Dalrymple leaving I would hope there is a place for me in the team."

He added: "Of course, giving me a two-year deal shows their commitment and they kept Hampshire in the picture as to what was going on."

Last season, Middlesex just missed out on promotion to division one of the County Championship, but they did get promoted in the Pro40.

That means Udal will come up against his old county in late August at Lord's.

Middlesex will also be in action in the Twenty20 Cup at the Rose Bowl in June.

Make sure you see Thursday's Gazette for a full interview with Shaun Udal