Cricket: Barnett is in demand

GLOUCESTERSHIRE PLAN to make an official approach to sign Derbyshire's Kim Barnett. Derbyshire have agreed to release Barnett from the last two years of his contract after another behind-the-scenes row.

Colin Sexstone, the Gloucestershire chief executive, aims to contact John Smedley, the Derbyshire secretary, for permission to make Barnett an offer.

One problem for Gloucestershire is that Barnett is classified as a List One signing. Each county is allowed one signing per year and Gloucestershire's other winter recruit, Jeremy Snape, is also on List One.

But Sexstone said: "We are quite confident that the registration committee will move Jeremy to List Two when they next meet on 19 January."