BOTHAM’S FURY AT STAR EXODUS
SIR IAN BOTHAM has taken aim at the ECB, the selectors and agents as rival counties aim to pick off Durham’s stars.
The latest player to leave is all-rounder Paul Coughlin, who captained Durham’s T20 side this summer, but has had his head turned by soon-to-be promoted Nottinghamshire – whose director of cricket Mick Newell is also an England selector.
Durham chairman and Mirror Sport columnist Botham has urged the ECB to introduce transfer fees to protect clubs. He argued: “Our Second Division status, points penalties and difficult financial situation has created an opportunity for rival counties and intermediaries to unsettle players.
“The ECB need to introduce a transfer or similar system.’’