HAMPSHIRE have yet to decide whether Marcus North will be their overseas player in the 2009 Twenty20 Cup.

The county on Thursday announced that off-spinner Imran Tahir will not be returning to the Rose Bowl until June, and that Australian all-rounder North will be the sole overseas player from the start of the season through to Tahir’s arrival.

The news sparked questions from Hampshire supporters as to whether Tahir was going to play in the Indian Premier League.

He’s not – the county have just decided to allow Tahir to see out the South African domestic season with Titans.

The Titans’ last game is a Supersport Series game in the first week of April, and Hampshire’s first game of the 2009 English season is on April 15.

That would leave hardly any time for Tahir to recover and prepare for the rigours of an English summer.

Bringing in North also allows Tahir to have a short break for the first time in a while.

Full story in today's Daily Echo