Negotiations on final curve for Ganguly's Northant stint

Kolkata, May 23 (UNI) Negotiations have reached a final stage between Northamptonshire and former India captain Sourav Ganguly for his two-month stint with the county beginning June.

The final decision is subject to the declaration of the Test team for West Indies, scheduled to be declared tomorrow.

''Northants are currently seeking a replacement for overseas player Chris Rogers who has been called up to play for Australia A in the 'Top End Series'. Chris will be away from the June 26 to the July 29 missing the whole of the Twenty20 Cup,'' Chief executive of Northamptonshire Club Mark Tagg said in reply to an e-mail from UNI.

''We are seeking a replacement for Chris Rogers and are in talks with Ganguly and his agent. Ganguly is our first choice replacement as a player of his stature and experience would be a great asset to the club particularly during the Twenty20 Cup. We are now awaiting a final decision,'' he said.

Dawn Conaty, his personal Assistant added, ''He will play the following games if he joins the county : June 21 vs Worcester, June 25 C&G cup match vs Notts, June 27 Twenty20 match vs Warwickshire, June 29 Twenty20 match vs Somerset, June 30 Twenty20 match vs Worcester, July 3 Twenty match vs Worcester, July 5 Twenty20 match vs Somerset, July 7 Twenty match vs Glamorgan, July 10 Twenty match vs Warwickshire, July 11 Twenty20 match vs Gloucestershire, July 14 vs Surrey, July 18 vs NCL Essex.'' In addtion, the the former captain will also play a practice game against Pakistan from July 20 to 23 if the plan fall in place.

Ganguly will then play against Essex on July 26 followed by his last game against Notts on July 30.

The bengal southpaw had reportedly said, ''I just want to get out there and play.'' He had earlier played in 2000 for Lancashire and in 2005 for Glamorgan. Ganguly has 5221 runs from 88 Tests and 10123 runs from 279 ODIs.

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