For all the rationale, the chief coach Mark Alleyne has misgivings about the reduction of overseas players from 2008. �..I assume it�..s a financial decision and I see the economic implications but I�..d like to have seen it avoided. County cricket has been very good over the past few seasons, since we were allowed two again, and overseas players have had a big part in that. Look at the sides that are doing well; they�..ve all got good overseas players. Hopefully they�..ve left enough of an impression for our youngsters to absorb.

�..My worry is that teams like Durham, who have produced three Test players, will field weakened sides and may end up in the doldrums. Not much of a reward, is it?�.� Courtney Walsh remains Alleyne�..s idea of a model overseas pro. �..He had the asset I look for first: he always wanted to share what he knew. He also always wanted to play, and he was a match-winner who wasn�..t too self-obsessed. I remember Jon Lewis as a 20-year-old bowling into a howling wind and Courtney offering to swap ends for six or seven overs. Can�..t imagine anyone doing that now.�.�

Rob Steen, The Wisden Cricketer