KEY POINTS:
Hamish Marshall has become the first New Zealand player to turn his back on a national contract.
The Northern Districts batsman has made "the most difficult decision of my life" and, armed with a British passport, will play his cricket in England for the foreseeable future.
Marshall is in his second season with Gloucestershire and negotiations are under way for a four-year deal after this year.
And with English counties moving from two overseas players on the field at any time to one, Marshall, who will be classified an English player, is an appealing proposition.
In Gloucestershire's eyes, the numbers will talk. Last season, he topped the county's first-class averages with 60.9 from 11 games, including five hundreds. This year, in only three games so far, he's averaging 56.83.
Although his decision probably ends his New Zealand career, 28-year-old Marshall can still play for ND. He cannot be part of the province's 12 contracted players but providing alternative financial arrangements are sorted out, he can stay an integral part of the domestic game. He was a key figure in Northern winning the State Championship title last summer.
"He's a wonderful guy, a wholehearted team man and you won't find anyone in New Zealand cricket saying otherwise," New Zealand Cricket Players Association manager Heath Mills said last night.
Mills said Marshall was making use of the "global workplace environment" and deserved praise for making a courageous decision.
He played 13 tests from 2000-01 to last year, averaging 38.35 with two hundreds, and 66 ODIs, at 27.43.
