Paul Coughlin leaves Durham to join Nottinghamshire on a three-year deal

County Championship is one of the toughest domestic tournaments and the teams participating in it are even more competitive. One such County named Durham was relegated to division 2 last year and has been battling from a financial crisis.

In this need of the hour, former international players like Paul Collingwood have stepped in and are helping the county back up to its feet. However, one of their own player who has come up the ranks has decided to part ways with them, Paul Coughlin their T20 Blast captain is going to leave Durham.

Coughlin to join Nottinghamshire

Paul Coughlin was one of the brightest talents in Durham and he has been lured in on a three-year deal to Nottinghamshire. The Trent Bridge based County has been able to negotiate and finally sign the 24-year-old Durham captain. Coughlin, however, will be with Durham until the end of the 2017 season and will join them freshly for the 2018 season.

As it is the all-rounder is sidelined with an injury and will not feature for the remainder of the County season. The Durham man was ecstatic after the deal as he said it will be a step forward in his career. He is also excited to work with his new coaches as well.

“It was an extremely tough decision to leave Durham, but I am very excited about joining Nottinghamshire and playing at Trent Bridge. It is a fantastic opportunity to continue my development and I look forward to working with Peter Moores and his coaching staff,” he said after the deal was announced.

Nottinghamshire happy with the new signing

The Director of Cricket of Nottinghamshire Mick Newell was very happy to announce the signing of Paul Coughlin. He said that he is the kind of cricketer every team would want. And he also talked about how he fits in all the formats of the game.

He said, “We see Paul as someone who can be influential for us in all forms of cricket and fits the type of cricketer that we want to sign. He is a dynamic fielder, bowls quickly and is an aggressive batsman – he’s an exciting young player.”

Mick further continued and said that they will try and make Paul the best cricketer he can be. “From our perspective, he is coming to a Club where we have a good coaching team in place who we think can improve him as a player. We want to help Paul be the best cricketer that he can be,” concluded Newell.

Ian Botham left frustrated

Botham was left fuming as one of their trusted players decided to leave them. He stated all that Durham has done for him while also stating the fact that rival teams are cashing on their financial and division 2 status.

He said, “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.

“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,” he added