Gloucestershire have been looking to strengthen their batting order ahead of the 1998 season. It appears though that they will miss out.

Hampshire opener John Stephenson, Kim Barnett of Derbyshire and Jason Gallian have all turned down a move to Gloucestershire. Stephenson has opted to remain at Hampshire and has signed a new contract dispite not being captain next season whilst Barnett was offered a testimonial if he remained at Derbyshire. Gallian decided to leave Lancashire but took up the captain's post at Nottinghamshire instead.

As a last ditch attempt to replace the batting of Shaun Young Gloucestershire looked at the possibility of bringing Andrew Symonds back but after studying the rules and taking legal advise the attempt was dropped. Symonds will not be able to play for an English county until 2001 after playing for Austrailia A and Gloucestershire thought a court case would damage the game.

• Syd Lawrence looks likely to remain with the county next season after a disappointing 1997. He has worked hard to lose weight and improve his fitness and is hoping to get under 17 stone. He will probably be paid on a match-to-match basis.