PAUL Terry has revealed that Michael Dighton may not be the last overseas player to play for Hampshire this season.
Australia batsman Dighton will make his debut for Hampshire in the totesport national league on May 31 and his Tasmania teammate Shane Watson is set for his first appearance for the county as Shane Warne's replacement against Lancashire this weekend.
But there could be more on the way as counties are allowed to sign as many overseas players as they want during a season - as long as no more than two are registered at any one time.
"I thought we were only allowed to have four during the season at the start of the year but that's not the case," said Hampshire manager Terry, who has known 28-year-old Dighton for several years.
"He played for in Western Australia in Perth for a good many years before he moved to Tasmania two years ago and has done really well for them.
"This is a good opportunity for him as much as anything.
"He's a good player and is a good lad and Warney rates him.
"Hopefully John (Crawley) will be back when he arrives (after his knee operation) but we need some cover anyway and it's important to keep the momentum going."
After making his debut against Kent, Dighton - whose signing was revealed in later editions of yesterday's Echo - is due to play in the championship match against Notts at the Rose Bowl starting on June 2.
He will also play in the one-day league at home to Warwickshire on June 6, under lights at Essex on June 8 and the championship match at Chelmsford which starts the following morning.
Dighton plundered 944 Pura Cup runs for Tasmania in 2003/04 at an average of 55.52.
That put him above the likes of Somerset's Jamie Cox (415 runs at 25.93) and former Derbyshire star Michael Di Venuto (649 runs at 46.35).
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