Warwickshire have confirmed the signing of off-spinning all- rounder Alex Loudon. Loudon, formerly of Kent and Durham UCCE, is expected to provide the bulk of Warwickshire's spin bowling duties next season in all forms of cricket The signing of Loudon signals the end of Brad Hogg's hopes of returning to Edgbaston. The Australian all-rounder won many admirers with his positive batting and commitment to the team cause during the last season, but his bowling returns (14 wickets at 63 apiece in the County Championship) were bitterly disappointing and the club have now confirmed that he will not be returning. The search is still on, therefore, for a second overseas player. The club have conceded that Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh will not be joining them - he is highly likely to join Surrey instead - and it is quite possible that Heath Streak may be the only overseas player at Warwickshire next season. "Alex Loudon comes highly recommended from coach John Inverarity, who knows him from his time at Kent, and [cricket committee member] John Clawton," chief executive Dennis Amiss told The Post last night. "We consider ourselves one of the top counties and we want players who want to play for us; not just those looking for the best deal. Alex Loudon wants to come to Warwickshire and he will have plenty of opportunity in the one-day and four-day team to establish himself. "We expect Ian Bell to be required by England a great deal in the future, and Loudon's batting will help fill the gap left by his departure. As a spinbowling batsman, he also fills the spot occupied by Brad Hogg last season and we consider that position now filled." The signing of Loudon fits in with Warwickshire's policy of backing young players. At just 24 he is, in spin bowling terms, fairly raw, but he clearly possesses a great deal of potential and is already a highly-effective, positive batsman. Loudon's character has also impressed Warwickshire. He captained the England side though age group cricket ( including leading Bell and Nick Warren at England Under-19 level) and will relish the opportunity of being first-choice spinner (with Mark Wagh and Jim Troughton in support) at the club. Significantly, Loudon is one of few English-qualified players to be able to bowl the 'doosra' - the off-spinner's 'wrong 'un' - and impressed in scoring 92 against Warwickshire at Edgbaston last season. Although his career bowling average stands a fraction over 40, last season he took 21 firstclass wickets at 31 apiece, including a career-best six for 47 against Middlesex in the final match of the season, as well as scoring nearly 600 runs at an average of 35. Meanwhile, the club have confirmed they are happy to wait until the end of October to see whether Inverarity will return as coach next season. Bizarre though it may sound to many cricket lovers, Inverarity's first love has always been education, and he is pursuing a specific opportunity in that field. Warwickshire are not actively looking for a replacement at present. | 
