Hampshire Cricket have announced the signing of former England seamer Ed Giddins on a two-year contract from the start of the 2003 season.

31-year-old Giddins in his time with Sussex, Warwickshire and latterly with Surrey has amassed nearly 700 wickets in first-class and limited-overs matches.

Ed Giddins introduced

"Looking out here at this magnificent Rose Bowl, joining Hampshire was an easy decision." said Giddins. "The club has a lot of potential and it is an exciting challenge for me."

"We are in the wrong division at the moment, it is time to get into the right division, and I hope to play a big part in that aim."

"My memories of playing against Hampshire in the past are of my bowling disappearing over square leg in the 90s due to Robin Smith most of the time."

Asked about his colourful career, Giddins admitted that mistakes had been made, but that was behind him. "I am a family man now, a few errors of judgement in the past, but you learn. We all make a few mistakes, but joining Hampshire isn't a mistake, it is something positive, and I am looking forward to getting a few wickets. And a couple of runs," he joked.

"I had a great two years at Surrey, but now is not the time to look back, it was time for a change and I leave with very happy memories.

"Playing alongside Shane Warne next season is great, I have been lucky in my career to have played alongside some greats, Brian Lara, Allan Donald to name just two, and Shane will be the third in who I consider to be amongst the 10 best modern day cricketers."

Hampshire's Director of Cricket Tim Tremlett was asked what he felt Ed Giddins could do for Hampshire. "He brings a wealth of experience a very fine bowler, bowls with good pace still and perfect for English conditions. With the demands of the English season, we needed to strengthen our squad, and perhaps that is where we fell down towards the end of last year, the strength and depth wasn't there."

© Hampshire Cricket