Published: Thursday, 22nd January, 2009 3:00pm

Berkshire recruit Richard II

by Anthony Smith

Comments (0) | Print | Email

MINOR Counties champions Berkshire have turned to Richard Logan to spearhead their pace attack next season.

The ex-Northants, Notts and Hampshire star has signed for the forthcoming campaign as Berks look to repeat the heroics of last season when they won their first title for more than 50 years.

Logan, 29, is a direct replacement for Richard Johnson who has been forced to retire through a long-term knee injury.

Former England, Middlesex and Somerset all-rounder Johnson will now join Berkshire's coaching staff and manager David Morris explained: "We will be swapping one Richard for another. He is a lively opening bowler with the ability to swing the ball both ways.

"He is already well known to Jono McLean and Mitchell Stokes from his Hampshire days and to James Morris and the Crowe brothers.

"I am absolutely certain that he will be an asset on the field and in a unified dressing room."

Logan is a tall, strapping quickie who represented England Under 19s. He made his first-class debut in 199 for Northants then moves to Nottinghamshire two years later.

There, he took 6-93 against Derbyshire but after four summers he went to Hampshire. However, it didn't work out and in 2006 he returned to Northants for a second stint.

He was released last summer after taking 133 first-class wickets and 70 one-day wickets, as well as 17 in Twenty20.

"He's not a massive name but he will do well for us," added Morris. "You often pick up players coming to the end of their careers but Richard has a lot of life left in him.

"But the main thing is we keep the majority of the side together which won the championship last season and I'm confident we will do that."

Johnson recently underwent reconstructive knee surgery but Berks still hope to use his experience in a coaching and advisory capacity.

"Richard was a real diamond in our successful side," stated Morris. "We still hope to see him around the dressing room and his experience will be invaluable."

Berks will find it extremely difficult to match last season's achievements when the landed the Minor Counties Championship title and reached the one-day knock-out final.

"It will be hard to emulate that success," said captain Bjorn Mordt. "But to do the double must be our aim."

County net sessions begin at Bradfield on February 7 before three pre-season friendlies.

They host first-class Gloucestershire at Falkland in a two day game starting April 11 then host Middlesex in a one-day contest on April 14, also at Falkland.

The annual Marlborough Cup derby against Wiltshire will be held at Thatcham on April 19.