HAMPSHIRE have hit back at the England and Wales Cricket Board for criticising Kent and Middlesex over their signings of Australia duo Stuart Clark and Phil Hughes.

Kent have signed Clark on a six-week deal, during which the former Hampshire bowler hopes to gain Ashes selection.

And Middlesex have signed Australia wun derkind Hughes, who will be getting his first taste of the County Championship at Lord’s ahead of his debut Ashes series.

ECB managing director Hugh Morris said the signings had been met with "dismay throughout the game".

And national selector Geoff Miller is “disappointed”

with the respective coun ties.

He said: “My role is not to tell the counties how to run their busi nesses but from an England point of view it does not help our Ashes situation ... I cannot imagine Australia would do something reciprocal before we go over there next time or any time.

"I want England and the counties to work as closely as possible and this does not make the relationship closer.”

Hampshire have signed more Australians than any other county in recent years. Shane Warne starred during the 2005 Ashes after captaining a Hampshire side including Australia teammate Simon Katich for the first three months of the season.

And Hampshire would now be favourites to sign Clark, as a replacement for Marcus North, had the fast bowler not already agreed terms with Kent.

Rose Bowl plc managing director Glenn Delve said: “I’m stunned the ECB feel they have the right to criticise any county for signing Australians.

"I’m not aware of any advice from the ECB that we shouldn’t be doing so.

“As far as I’m aware it’s never been debated. If the ECB really has this view it should have been dis cussed at chief executive and chairmen level long before now.

“Hampshire always look to find the best players for Hampshire and we’ve never been instructed to do any thing other than that.

“Frankly, we should be backing our best cricketers to win the Ashes.”