Ervine quits Hampshire to resume Zimbabwe career

Sean Ervine will leave Hampshire to resume his international career with Zimbabwe.

Ervine, 28, is expected to receive a call-up to Zimbabwe's World Cup squad later this month, after being named in their preliminary 20-man group, and will revert to overseas status in order to play.

"International cricket is my ultimate goal," Ervine told BBC Radio Solent. "It's tough to leave Hampshire, which I hold as family. They've looked after me and I give them every praise possible."

Ervine, has played 42 ODIs for his country but was one of the rebel cricketers in dispute with the ZCU, and in May 2004 he left Zimbabwe to start a new life in Australia. After struggling to break into the Western Australia side he moved to England making his Hampshire debut in 2005.

He will sign off his career with the county in the ongoing Caribbean T20 tournament. His return to the Zimbabwe set-up represents yet another step forward for cricket in the country, with a number of players returning either to the side of the coaching staff.

Hampshire, meanwhile, still have an overseas player in legspinner Imran Tahir, but he was recently named in South Africa's 14-man squad to play India in their five-match one-day international series. Although the call-up will not affect his overseas status at Hampshire, he could miss their pre-season if selected in South Africa's World Cup squad in February. The 2011 World Cup is due to start on 19 February and the final 15-man national squad will be selected later this month.