Fraser hits back over Aussies

Date released: 19 March 2009

Following ECB criticism of counties signing Australia internationals ahead of the Ashes, Middlesex Director of Cricket Angus Fraser says critics need to 'grow up'.

• Listen to an extract of our exclusive interview (3.1 MB)

Fraser says England call-ups led to signing of Australia's Hughes Fraser's Middlesex side have signed promising Australia batsman Phillip Hughes for the start of the county season.

England Managing Director Hugh Morris said earlier this week that Kent's decision to sign Australia bowler Stuart Clark had been: "...met with dismay throughout the game."

England selector Geoff Miller added: "It's disappointing to hear Kent have signed a bowler who has played in English conditions before and is just coming back to fitness.

"Middlesex have already signed a batsman in Phil Hughes who has not had experience of English conditions before and now will have that for the Ashes - I don't think this would happen the other way around."

Speaking exclusively to Lords.org Middlesex Director of Cricket and former England international Angus Fraser hit back saying: "I'm sure there will be some comment: 'What's Fraser doing, signing an Australian and getting him ready for the Ashes?' - I mean, come on, grow up will you?

"The idea is you beat the opponents when they're at their best.

"To go in there with the mindset that you want to play against a weakened side suggests you don't back yourself fully in the first place.

Hughes: Will play at Lord's for Middlesex ahead of the Ashes "The reason the 2005 Ashes Series was such a wonderful contest was because England beat Australia at their full strength."

Hughes recently became the youngest player to score a century in both innings of a Test.

Fraser went on to explain it was, ironically, the England call-up of Middlesex players Andrew Strauss and Owais Shah that necessitated his signing:

"I originally wasn't looking to sign an overseas player for this season but when Strauss became England captain and it became clear Shah was going to be involved in the IPL or England set-up - I felt we needed some extra cover at the top of the batting order.

Shah's England call-up left a vacancy in the Middlesex batting line-up Fraser also defended the signing of Hughes contending that it's about the future of his county, not just this Ashes year:

"We're looking forward to having him [Hughes] around. Hopefully it's the start of a long, on-going relationship.

"It's healthy for a club to build a relationship with an overseas player - have them coming back so they feel part of the club rather than having a different player each summer."