LONDON, CMC – English County Hampshire have rewarded former Barbados and West Indies fast bowler Fidel Edwards for helping them to stay in Division One by penning a new one-year contract with the 33-year-old.
Edwards snatched a 10-wicket haul last week as Hampshire beat Nottinghamshire by eight wickets at Trent Bridge on the final day of the season, to survive the drop to Division Two.
Sussex’s 100-run defeat to champions Yorkshire at Headingley finalised Hampshire’s top-tier status.
“He’s been fantastic for us this year. He’s bowled with a lot of pace and knowhow in varying conditions and we’re delighted to have him with us again,” said Hampshire’s director of cricket, Giles White.
“Fidel has always expressed his enjoyment at playing for Hampshire. He was thankful we showed faith in him to start with and he adds a different dimension to our bowling attack. This will give the changing room a huge boost going into next season.”
Edwards, a late replacement for the injured Australian speedster Jackson Bird, finished the season with 45 wickets from eight games at a brilliant average of 20.
He saved his best performance for the crucial must-win contest against Notts, with Hampshire needing to win and for Sussex to lose, in order to stay up.
The right-armer has taken 165 wickets in 55 Tests but has not played for West Indies in three years.
