Kabir to stay with Worcestershire

Kabir Ali has played one Test and 14 one-day internationals for England

Worcestershire fast bowler Kabir Ali is to stay at New Road despite his wish to go and play for another county.

Although Kabir spoke to Hampshire and was also linked with Warwickshire, no other county has come up with the £60,000 compensation fee demanded.

And Kabir, 28, is now expected to serve the final year of his current contract.

"No compensation fee or offer has been forthcoming so Kabir remains in contract," said Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton.

Newton added that "all lines of communication remain open", having told BBC Hereford and Worcester on Wednesday that the wrangle "will inevitably rumble on through the winter".

When asked if the compensation fee was negotiable for the injury-plagued player who made just four County Championship appearances last summer, Newton replied: "It certainly isn't at the moment.

"There is no one out there wishing to pay that at the moment. That, to me, says an awful lot.

"I'm not stupid. Things can change in a day. They can change in a week.

"But one thing is certain, all of us want Kabir playing cricket here next season."

And, in a club statement released on Thursday, Newton added: "Our board granted Kabir's wish to talk to other counties up to 30 September, even though he has one more year remaining on his contract.

"If Kabir then expressed a wish to move to another county, he would be released from his contract upon receipt of a compensation fee of £60,000 to the club.

"Kabir and his adviser, Roger Newman, have informed us that he would like to move to another county but no compensation fee or offer has been forthcoming so Kabir remains in contract and permission to talk to other counties is no longer in place.

"We do not want to lose Kabir as he is one of the finest seam bowlers in the country and has been with the club for 10 years.

"He is one of our prized players and we need him to spearhead our attack next season.

"Kabir has already told us that, if he remained with the club, he would give 100% next season and we know that he will.

"He wants nothing more than to be out in the middle as it is only out there he can regain his England place which is his and the club's prime motivation."

While Worcestershire appear closer to resolving Kabir's future, Newton conceded that the situation involving England Lions opener Stephen Moore is less clear.

"We're probably a week away from knowing one way of the other," said Newton.

"I wouldn't like to say which way that one will go. Stephen has got to make his own mind up."