There's an excellent Indian restaurant in Halesowen, Bangla Lounge, with a sister restaurant in Worcester:

http://www.massallalounge.com/

I understand from the Halesowen staff that Shakib has already been to the Massalla Lounge.
When the Bangladeshis were over here the last time and playing at Edgbaston, they were entertained at another restaurant in the group on Broad Street.

Mark Newton or David Leatherdale could look at possible sponsorship?

The one in Broad Street definitely gets the thumbs up from me!

Yeh I think Yeltzfan is on to something really big here, just think about it. Getting some of the Bengali business sponsorship will sort out all financial problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He was visiting friends

As mentioned by others there is also a link between Gillespie, Hall et al and the now defunct IPL...

Not sure if all contracts were finally honoured

Bumping our new signings thread

LA Bowling for the Unicorns

In addition to Knappett there are three Unicorns call-ups this year who have previous links to us

Atiq-ur-Rehman - 28 year old RH opening batsman and RMF has played for Old Hill '05-'07, Knowle & Dorridge '08 to present and Herefordshire in the MCC this year - played 3 SET games for us in mid 2005 with some success with bat and ball.

Tom Mees - 28 year old RMF from Wolverhampton, now London based, who was Worcs Cricket Board & U19's in 98 & 99 then went to OUCCE and after graduating spent 6 years at Edgbaston without many first team opportunities - 20 @ 48.3 in 9 FC matches and 5 @ 62.2 in 8 LA matches.

Jonathon Miles - 24 year old LM bowler from Sutton Coldfield who has taken 11 wickets in the Pro40 this summer and 3 against us at CRN in July. Played for Kidderminster Victoria '06-'07, MMC young cricketers '08-'09 and 10 wickets in 7 second xi fixtures for us - 4 in mid 2006 and 3 at the start of this season. He has trialled for Notts as well this year. Looks promising...

Neil Hancock who bowled 8-0-64-5 in last weeks narrow defeat to Lancs at Colwyn Bay is a 34 year old Australian born Devonian RHB and RFM bowler who played limited overs games for Somerset in 2004. Wrong age bracket and no link to us but a useful one day player.

On bowlers Asia, have you seen young Russell tonight ? A bit raw and nervous but bowling at 87-89mph. Pretty impressive.

Sorry Serchers - no Sky

James Benning (27) released by Leics 'because they have too many all-rounders' according 24/7

Gemaal Hussein also believed to be heading up the M4

I'd take a look at Benning.

As he is one of Ours and a nervous kid to boot, I wasn't going to mention anything here- but Grinner is right. I am afraid the Gareth Batty School of Linguistics is not going to endear him to the old folks at home; and is in a sharp contrast to the likes of Shantry and Colin, for example.

Good point. There was one moment when there was a close up of him and he quite clearly used the f word to himself. Or so he thought. Part of the learning curve I suppose. Funny how you expect this sort of thing in football and it's become the accepted norm (wrongly) but it just looks bad in cricket.