BOTHAM FRUSTRATED BY COUGHLIN’S MOVE
SUNDERLAND-BORN ALL-ROUNDER PAUL QUITS DURHAM FOR THREE-YEAR NOTTS CONTRACT
Durham chairman Sir Ian Botham has expressed bitter disappointment at losing another rising star.
Sunderland-born T20 Blast captain Paul Coughlin has rejected a contract extension and will leave the club at the end of the season to join Nottinghamshire on a three-year contract.
Durham made a substantial offer to keep him in the North East, but the 24-yearold decided to move on to Notts, who look set to win promotion back to Division One.
Botham is unhappy with the situation, which follows last year’s departures of Mark Stoneman and Scott Borthwick to Surrey, and he issued a statement. It read: “Following Paul Coughlin’s decision to leave Durham County Cricket Club, I would like to express my frustration at a number of issues.
“Despite offering Paul – a player we have nurtured through our academy system and someone we hold in extremely high regard – a very competitive contract extension, our devoted support during periods of injury, continuous development and leadership opportunities; the player has chosen to leave Durham.
“I respect Paul’s right to move clubs and understand that players at certain times in their careers may want to move on. However, it’s without question that our Second Division status, points penalties and difficult financial situation has created an opportunity for rival counties and intermediaries to unsettle players with promises of First Division cricket, greater England opportunities and immediate financial reward.
“It concerns me that the current arrangements within cricket do not reward counties that invest in Academies and produce exciting young English players. The ECB is currently reviewing its partnership agreement with the counties and Durham will be making strong representations to properly reward those that invest in the development of local talent.
“They need to introduce a transfer or similar system of compensation, to remove the potential for conflict of interest by preventing serving directors of cricket acting as selectors and to better regulate the behaviour of agents.
“In the meantime, Durham will devote all of its available resources to putting together a squad of players that are committed to the club and share our ambition to return to the First Division and winning trophies.
“We are currently negotiating with a number of players, domestic and overseas, with a view to returning to the top flight next season.”
Coughlin has a side injury and will not feature again for Durham this season.
Notts’ director of cricket Mick Newell said of Coughlin: “He is a dynamic fielder, bowls quickly and is an aggressive batsman.”