Bears plan double swoop

Aug 7 2007 By Brian Halford, Birmingham Mail

STUART Broad and Mushtaq Ahmed could be leading Warwickshire's bowling attack next season if the county's ambitious plans come to fruition.

With the Bears' bowling attack looking increasingly moderate of late, their thoughts have turned to the future with great urgency.

England seamer Broad, out of contract at Leicestershire next month, is a well-documented target. He held talks with Warwickshire yesterday about a possible move across the Midlands.

And Sussex spinner Ahmed, the most successful bowler in county cricket over the last decade, today emerged as another target.

The Bears have given Sussex the statutory 28 days' notice that they intend to hold talks with 'Mushy'.

To sign him would be quite a coup, although the Bears' pursuit is somewhat optimistic.

There is nothing to suggest that Ahmed, 37, wants to leave the county he has helped to its most successful era in its history. Only a giant financial offer, surely, could tempt him away.

Broad is a more realistic bet. Nottinghamshire remain favourites to lure the 21-year-old from Leicester, while Lancashire and Yorkshire are also in the running.

But that he agreed to meet with Bears officials suggests he has not ruled out Edgbaston as a future home.