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Hemp on lookout for new county

Open to offers: Bermuda batsman David Hemp

David Hemp still believes he has something to offer, despite being told he is surplus to requirements at Glamorgan.

The Bermuda batsman has been let go by the English county after a year in which he scored 763 runs and averaged 34.68 in all forms of the game.

While Glamorgan coach Matthew Maynard has said he thinks it is time for Hemp to retire, the opener insists he has several seasons of first-class cricket left in him.

"I still feel that I can carry on playing for a couple of years," he told The Royal Gazette.

"It really all depends on what sides want, whether they want an old man with experience, or not.

"I feel that I have something to offer, it's just a case of seeing what comes up.

"It's not a great surprise (being dropped) actually. I had a conversation with Matthew Maynard six weeks ago, and he said that it might go that way. It wasn't a surprise, and on the flip side I've had a great time, and some great years with the club.

"We've won trophies, and although I spent some time at Warwickshire, I got to fulfill a childhood dream when I captained Glamorgan.

"I was captain of the Under-19s, and the first team. And at 37, to have played for that amount of time, and to have achieved those things, I don't think that you can ask for much more.

"I'll take some time over the next two or three weeks and see what happens.

"But I never felt out of touch at all this summer. Some seasons you have a period where you don't think that you can buy a run, but I never felt like that this year."

Despite that, Hemp only averaged in the mid-30s, and for Maynard that just wasn't good enough.

"Averaging in the low 30s for Glamorgan is not enough," he said. "At the end of your career you have to be performing because you are one of the higher-paid players.

"He has shown glimpses of what he can do at that period but you need consistency from your senior players and we have not seen that from David this season.

"He looked in great touch at the start of the season but his form started to slip.

"We had an appraisal during the season and he was told exactly what was required if he was to be offered a new contract. But he did not do that.

"I wanted David to have the chance to stand down and retire from the game," added Maynard. "But he wants to carry on and we wish him well whichever way he goes.

"There are 17 counties to go for and if there is someone out there who thinks he can get a contract he will do so. I am not too sure myself but you never know."

For now Hemp will concentrate on completing his level Four coaching badge, attending several functions for his benefit year, and helping Bermuda defend their Americas Cup title in Florida in November.

He will also be keeping one eye on the World Cup qualifying tournament next April.

"I've told the BCB that I'm available through April '09, which is the qualifying for the World Cup.

"We have the Americas in November, and if I'm selected I'll go. I'm not sure what happens after that, but there are some tournaments prior to the World Cup qualifiers next year which I hope to be involved in as well."