Weston wants regular first-team cricket

Phil Weston has signed for Gloucestershire after being released by Worcestershire following 13 years with the county.

The Division Two championship club agreed to let the opening batsman go after he aired concerns over a lack of first-team action in 2002.

And he immediately signed a two-year deal with Gloucestershire.

"After mutual discussions Worcestershire and Phil Weston have decided to part ways," a club spokesman told the BBC Sport website.

"Phil didn't play for the first team a great deal last season and understandably he approached us about it.

"We couldn't guarantee things would be different in 2003, so he has been released to pursue his career elsewhere.

"Phil has been a very good player for us over a number of years, but he has probably been a victim of the strength of our current squad."

Weston, 29, made his debut for Worcestershire in 1991 and was awarded his county cap in 1995.

He has played 170 first-class matches, scoring 9,132 runs including 17 centuries.