Cricket: Four Counties Line Up to Sign Gough

Darren Gough yesterday rubbished England's fixation with developing a one-day side for the 2007 World Cup as he made it clear to the counties jostling for his signature that he still has international ambitions.

Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Essex and, less convincingly, Middlesex all confirmed yesterday that they are anxious to sign the 33-year-old fast bowler as he seeks a county within commuting distance of his Milton Keynes home.

As they continue negotiations which, in many cases, have gone on for months, they will be left in no doubt that Gough believes he can extend an England career which seemed to have ended with three knee operations, a Test-match retirement last summer and England's turn to youth at one-day level.

"I believe I'm still good enough to be in the England one-day side," Gough said. "When I hear the comments that we're planning for the 2007 World Cup, well I'm sorry, all I say is in 2007 half the side that is playing now won't be playing in the 2007 World Cup.

"I believe that you pick with a view in mind of the side in the 2007 World Cup, but you pick your best side. There are two places left for the West Indies and I'm not ruling myself out."

When it comes to England, rather than Yorkshire, from where he made a sorrowful exit on Wednesday, commuting distance can wait.

Nick Knight, a more contented England retiree, stated Warwickshire's interest. "Are we interested in signing him? Categorically, yes," he said. "We're an inexperienced attack and he is a natural leader. If we signed him we wouldn't need another overseas player."

Mark Alleyne, Gloucestershire's captain, who first had discussions with Gough about a move in a county car park last summer, said: "He was raving on TV about the Bristol pitch last year, so I think he would enjoy bowling here."

But Gough might not appreciate the uncertainty at Bristol, with the departure of the coach John Bracewell, their Australian all-rounder Ian Harvey, who has joined Yorkshire, and the injury problems of the seamer Mike Smith.

At Essex, where Nasser Hussain is an avowed admirer, the chief executive David East said: "We would be keen to discuss something with him."