HEREFORDSHIRE County Cricket Club have strengthened their team for the forthcoming season with the signing of former Worcestershire and Glamorgan wicket-keeper and batsman Ismail Dawood.

Twenty-four-year-old Dawood is regarded by Herefordshire's newly appointed under-25s' coach David Banks, the ex-Worcestershire and Warwick-shire batsman, as the best wicket-keeper batsman outside the first class game.

Born in Yorkshire, Dawood was on Northamptonshire's books as a 17-year-old before having a two-year stint with Worcester-shire in 1996-97.

For the last two seasons he has played for Glamorgan and in 1999 he played in six county championship matches, taking 16 catches. He also hit a championship century of 102 off Gloucestershire at Cardiff.

Batsman Jamie Sylvester, who had a good season with Herefordshire in 1998 before captaining Wales last term, has returned to the county.

Last month Herefordshire announced that they had also secured the services of James Brinkley, the Scotland international and former Worcestershire seamer.

Now that he has been appointed Gloucestershire's bowling coach, Kevin Cooper, who has been the spearhead of Herefordshire's attack during the last three seasons, will only make limited appearances this term.

Bryan Smith, Herefordshire's cricket and selection sub-chairman, said: "Kevin hopes to play a few games for us, probably later in the summer. His loss will be a big hole in our attack but we have to move on."

Smith has signed 19-year-old John Shaw, who can bowl seam or spin, on the recommendation of Cooper and Banks. The chairman said: "I gather he has taken a lot of wickets in Australia this winter."

Smith added: "We have had two very successful weekend coaching and fitness sessions at Evesham with over 30 players attending. Many of our local young players took part and, if they show the necessary form, will be given a first team chance."

On Sunday, April 23 Hereford-shire will play a friendly against Glamorgan at Colwall. Their first competitive match will be against Sussex Board in the first round of the NatWest Trophy, also at Colwall, on Tuesday, May 2.