Quiney to join Essex in 2013

By Paul Hiscock

Essex have successfully negotiated terms to bring 30-year-old Victoria batsman Rob Quiney to this country for his first taste of county cricket. The top-order left hander is an accomplished performer in all forms of the game and has played for his state since 2006.

Quiney is expected to remain with the county until July although it is possible that he could spend the entire season with the county. Essex head coach Paul Grayson said: "“Australia are over here touring this year and he wants to try to make a big impression. We'’ll see where we are at in July and revisit the situation then.”"

The Australian has scored more than 3,000 first-class runs at an average of 36.48 that includes seven centuries and 16 half-centuries, plus 1,766 runs in List A matches at 37.57, and was named Australia’s Domestic Player of the Year in February 2011.

Quiney currently has two Test caps to his name, both against South Africa last November, and has also been a member of Australia’'s Twenty20 squad.

"“I am delighted to have signed a contract to play for Essex this summer,” he said. "“The 2012-13 season has been an amazing one for me, fulfilling my ambition of playing International cricket, and I am now able to achieve one of my other major cricketing ambitions by playing county cricket.

"“Having spoken to Paul Grayson, I am very excited about the plans for Essex this season and I look forward to helping our drive to securing silverware in 2013.”"

Grayson is cautiously optimistic that the overseas recruit will prove to be a hit with the county. "“The Aussies produce good players and Rob is coming here for all the right reasons," added Grayson. "“He'’ll bat anywhere in the top three for us and while he may not be the household name that we'’ve had in the past, I'’ve met and spoken to him on a number of occasions and he’s a quality player and a very impressive guy.

"“Whoever you sign, you have no guarantees that it will work out. We had Alviro Petersen for the first few weeks of last season and he’'s obviously an outstanding player but he didn'’t get the runs we’'d hoped he would. That was disappointing and he felt exactly the same way and was very disappointed that he was unable to help us win more matches.

"“But we have done a lot of research on Rob. I was in Australia for three weeks before Christmas and got a chance to meet up with a few people out there and they all spoke very highly of him.

"“He hasn'’t been over here before and is very keen to impress and I'’m very confident that he will fit in really well in our dressing room. He'’s desperate to play county cricket which is great for us and he comes across as an extremely good team player as well and we are delighted to get him to the club."


 

Date: 23/01/2013 14:48:55 by Paul Hiscock
In: Today | Essex |