County Championship Transfers...

Jos Buttler looks like he is joining Lancashire, interesting one that! Matt Coles has signed for Hampshire after impressing in a loan spell. Hampshire also look set to sign Will Smith, who has been recently released from Durham.

Kent have signed: Mitchell Claydon (Durham), David Griffiths (Hampshire)

Surrey release Jon Lewis and De Bruyn

Yorkshire have released Phil Jaques

Here is the list so far:

Derbyshire: In: Scott Elstone (ex-Notts, played for Derbys IIs this summer and in two first XI matches); Out: Alasdair Evans, Ben Slater (both released; it has been indicated that Slater could yet get a reprieve)

Durham: In: Graham Clark (Yth), Stuart Poynter (ex-Middx IIs, MCC YCs, played for Durham IIs this summer); Out: Will Smith, Ruel Brathwaite (both Hants), Mitchell Claydon (Kent, was on loan at Kent in 2013), Callum Thorp (released).

Essex: No activity as yet; Owais Shah has retired from FC cricket but could still sign an extension for List A and T20 only.

Glamorgan: In: Jacques Rudolph (Overseas); Simon Jones has retired from FC and List A cricket but could still sign an extension for T20 only.

Gloucestershire: In: Tom Smith (Middx, was on loan at Gloucs in 2013), Will Tavare (Yth); Out: Richard Coughtrie, Paul Muchall (both released).

Hampshire: In: Tom Barber, Lewis McManus (both Yth), Ruel Brathwaite (Durham), Matt Coles (Kent, was on loan at Hants in 2013), Will Smith (Durham); Out: David Griffiths (Kent), Hamza Riazuddin (released; no longer available for professional cricket), Michael Roberts, Adam Rouse (both released).

Kent: In: Mitchell Claydon (Durham, was on loan at Kent in 2013), David Griffiths (Hants), Charlie Hartley (Yth), Matt Hunn (Suffolk; played for Kent IIs and made one 1st XI appearance in 2013). Out: Michael Powell (retired).

Lancashire: In: Jos Buttler (Somerset), Kyle Jarvis (kolpak - has retired from international cricket to pursue a county career; played for Lancs IIs and made one 1st XI appearance in 2013) Out: Gareth Cross, Stephen Moore (both released).

Leicestershire: In: Ben Raine (free agent; trialled for multiple 2nd XIs in 2013 and played 7 1st XI games for Leics); Out: Matthew Hoggard, Claude Henderson (both retired).

Middlesex: In: Andrew Balbirnie (promoted from summer contract), Harry Podmore, Ryan Higgins (both Yth); Out: Tom Smith (Gloucs, was on loan at Gloucs in 2013), Corey Collymore, Adam London, Josh Davey (all released).

Northamptonshire: Out: Lee Daggett (retired), Luke Evans, Con de Lange, Sam Sweeney, Christian Davis (all released).

Nottinghamshire: Out: David Hussey (retired from county cricket), Ben Phillips (released; retired from professional cricket).

Somerset: Out: Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Gemaal Hussain (released).

Surrey: Out: Jon Lewis, Zander de Bruyn (both released).

Sussex: Out: Monty Panesar (sacked for breach of discipline), Joe Gatting, Andy Miller (both released).

Warwickshire: In: Tom Lewis, Jon Webb (both Yth) Out: Darren Maddy (retired), Chris Metters, Tom Allin (both released).

Worcestershire: Out: Neil Pinner, Steve Leach, Aneesh Kapil, Michael Johnson (all released).

Yorkshire: Out: Phil Jaques (no longer able to commit to full summer in England; could yet return for a small part of a season)

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List of released/ available players: Gemaal Hussain, Monty Panesar, Gareth Cross, Stephen Moore, Josh Davey, Adam London, Richard Coughtrie, Paul Muchall, Corey Collymore, Jon Lewis, Zander de Bruyn, Chris Metters, Tom Allin, Neil Pinner, Steve Leach, Aneesh Kapil, Michael Johnson, Michael Roberts, Adam Rouse, Phil Jaques, Luke Evans, Con de Lange

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There may be the odd name missing from this. The info comes from a spreadsheet which a colleague at DEC has compiled. In particular I suspect I have missed a couple of retirements. Expect those counties who haven't had much activity yet to announce a list of released players shortly.

Thanks for the thread, Jimbo. Thanks to you also, Shelsey, for all that info above. Surprised to read of Owais Shah's retirement from FC cricket (even if he might still play some one day stuff) - that had passed me by.

guildfordbat wrote:Thanks for the thread, Jimbo. Thanks to you also, Shelsey, for all that info above. Surprised to read of Owais Shah's retirement from FC cricket (even if he might still play some one day stuff) - that had passed me by.

Yep, it received surprisingly little fanfare. Whilst I can understand him wanting to maximise his T20 earnings - it's his best format, after all - he's likely to find himself sitting on the sidelines for part of the summer, I'd imagine.

Sussex have released Joe Gatting and Andy Miller. Neither of those are a great surprise - Gatting has endured a horror season and, at 25, is too old to still be averaging below 30 in all formats. Miller was signed on a one-year deal from Warwickshire but failed to impress.

Shelsey93 wrote:Sussex have released Joe Gatting and Andy Miller. Neither of those are a great surprise - Gatting has endured a horror season and, at 25, is too old to still be averaging below 30 in all formats. Miller was signed on a one-year deal from Warwickshire but failed to impress.

Thanks, Shelsey. As you say, not a great surprise. Gatting seems to have been on the fringes for a long time without ever properly kicking on. Miller's chances were almost certainly hindered by the unexpected success of Jordan.

Hopefully Stephen Moore can get his career back on track somewhere new. Been out of form for a while but a man who had genuine potential. Will find a deal somewhere surely.

Didn't realise he was 32.  
Thought he was much younger than that!

A year ago Surrey might have been tempted to recruit over the winter to open next season with a new ball pairing of M Hoggard and C Collymore...

JDizzle wrote:Hopefully Stephen Moore can get his career back on track somewhere new. Been out of form for a while but a man who had genuine potential. Will find a deal somewhere surely.

Didn't realise he was 32.  
Thought he was much younger than that!

I too was surprised to see that he was in his thirties! I guess his big season (2008) which catapulted him briefly into the England discussion came when he was already 27 or 28. At Lancs he found himself out of the picture with Horton and Reece forming a successful opening pair. Word is possibly back to Worcestershire.

Callum Thorp has left Durham. He was involved in all three title wins (though playing only a limited role this year) and famously took 7-fer on the last day of the 2008 season to bowl Durham to their first title.

word around Chelmsford is that we are to sign Panesar permantely

Derbyshire have given a one year deal to Scott Elstone (ex-Notts, played for Derbys IIs this year and in two YB40 matches). Alasdair Evans has been released. Ben Slater has not been offered a new contract but the statement is a bit ambiguous, suggesting he could yet get a reprieve if finances allow. It is a little strange that he is not being given a contract - he was first choice opener at the end of the season and, although his average was only 20, he scored important runs in the ultimately futile wins over Middx and Somerset.

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CF, I think Panesar will be in demand. Essex and Northants are probably the two main options open to him. Northants have said that they've identified a left-arm spinner that they want to sign - Panesar is presumably the man - but I'd think Essex will want to keep him too. Ultimately it might come down to Monty's choice - Northants offers a return home and Div 1 cricket; Essex can probably pay him more and, of course, he's been playing there for the last couple of months.

Northants have already said that they didn't want to re-sign Panesar.........


Maurice Chambers has left Chelmsford   Gone to Northants!

CF wrote:Northants have already said that they didn't want to re-sign Panesar.........


Maurice Chambers has left Chelmsford   Gone to Northants!

I wouldn't bet on that CF, re Panesar. They didn't want him on loan but a different matter now - they are in Div 1 and, quite frankly, need a better spinner than Middlebrook (who has made a good case to be the regular opener anyway).

Chambers indeed to Northants. Jack Winslade has signed with Surrey. Steve Harmison confirmed his retirement.

A few moves from the last few days:

- Following their budget being expanded Derbyshire have awarded a new contract to Ben Slater and summer contracts to Greg [son of Dominic] Cork and Jonathan Marsden.

- 15 Lancashire players have agreed new contracts, including a first professional contract for Liam Livingstone.

- Northants have signed Graeme White from Notts. That means Panesar isn't going to Northants, so Essex are big favourites for him now. A bit of an odd one that as White had a pretty good deal at Notts, where he got more cricket than he might have elsewhere in Div 1. Spent parts of this year on loan at Northants and will get slightly more first team cricket but is not the big signing that will really improve on what they have already.

This week seems to be mainly about new contracts. Expect the signings to follow once decisions have been made on the existing players in each squad... there are 32 players on the released list at the moment and they'll all be desperate for somebody to pick them up.

SimonofSurrey wrote:A year ago Surrey might have been tempted to recruit over the winter to open next season with a new ball pairing of M Hoggard and C Collymore...

"Mops brow".  The latter could have been a valuable addition to our tail end batting...

Some interesting names on the released list. Would love to see Moore back at New Road, not sure how likely that would be though with finances as tight as ever.

Northants have today confirmed the signing of Jackson Bird

Joe Leach signs a new one-year contract at Worcs, Charlie Morris signed on for another year's summer scholarship so he can complete his final year at Oxford, before getting a full contract for 2015

Essex have confirmed the signing of Monty Panesar on a two year contract   :D

Richie Jones has signed for Warwickshire

38 year old seamer and Surrey discard Jon Lewis has joined Sussex on a one year contract.

SAEED!

Ajmal is back at New Road, signing as Worcs' overseas player for 2014, providing they can get all the visa's etc sorted. What a signing!

guildfordbat wrote:38 year old seamer and Surrey discard Jon Lewis has joined Sussex on a one year contract.

 

Graeme Welch has taken the top job at Derbyshire, with Alan Richardson leaving Worecsetehire to take the bowling coach role at Warks.

CF wrote:Graeme Welch has taken the top job at Derbyshire, with Alan Richardson leaving Worecsetehire to take the bowling coach role at Warks.

Thanks, CF - didn't know about those appointments.

Even those he's as old as the hills, Richardson leaving Worcs will be a heck of a loss to them. A magnificent servant of the county game. I wish him well in the next stage of his career.

yeah he took a hell of a lot of wickets last year, and leaves their attack looking very bare now.

      

Gutted isn't the word. Can't begrudge Richardson taking that job, his stock will never be higher. Superb servant to the county game and an absolutely brilliant bowler and huge influence for Worcs over the past few years. We're up the creek without a paddle with our bowling attack now, need another inspired, Richardson-like signing.

Double whammy is that he joins the Bears of all teams. Eugh.

long season for your lot Mat, the bowling really is weak, no frontline spinner and the seam attack cupboard threadbare 

you can have Tim Phillips as your main spinner if ya want

Agree about the seam attack, but unless I've missed something, Ajmal is set to be here for the majority of the season. With Moeen as well, the groundsman best start preparing some dust bowls(Once all the water is gone of course!)

Ajmal was supposed to sign for us (hampshire) last year Mat, never happened!

yeah but ajmal does turn up for Worcs jimbo, this will be his 2nd time i believe?..

Yeah had him for the T20's and three first class games two seasons ago.

Hampshire sign Kyle Abbott, anyone know much about him? Saw he took 7 wickets on test debut for South Africa?

Yorks gonna announce a World Class signing tomorrow...

At 6:25am

And its Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch is only world class in t20.....if he's also playing 4day stuff then that wont set the world alight, as his 4 day record is shocking....

KP to play t20 for surrey this year..Alec Stewart said he could also play 50 over games and CC games..but i cant see him turning up for surrey for a div 2 county game..

In news that will delight Jimbo Glenn Maxwell has signed with Hampshire for the T20's and will cover when Kyle Abbot is unavailable

good signing for the t20.

Olly, very happy with that

Jimbo - I've no doubt that Maxwell will come up with the goods for Hants but he was a big disappointment for Surrey last season.   

Guildford, he was brilliant for us in 2012. Fits into the team well along with Vince, Dawson, Wood, Briggs, Carbs so we'll have an exciting team!

good t20 signing, but i highly doubt he will do anything if he plays in the 4 day stuff.

Surrey bring back Chris Schofield for the T20

Olly wrote:Surrey bring back Chris Schofield for the T20

  Assume you're serious, Olly - source, please?

guildfordbat wrote:

Olly wrote:Surrey bring back Chris Schofield for the T20

  Assume you're serious, Olly - source, please?

I saw it on twitter, he's posted it on his Facebook page (I don't have Facebook so can't verify for certain)

Just done some more research into it, and it appears one of Mr Schofield's mates has taken his phone and got up to no good on his social media pages

You can breathe a sigh of relief Guildford

Olly - thanks for checking and clarifying. Thought it was odd.   

useful t20 player, but hasn't played competitive first class cricket for some time now..

Guildford - very restrained to display only one !  Maybe in the same vein one month today Jason Ratcliffe will rescind his unavailability for selection for England.