White dumps Leics for Old Trafford

Wayne White has left Leicestershire after deciding he no longer wanted to play for the club. He has joined Lancashire on a three-year deal.

White, 27, won the Friends Life t20 with Leicestershire in 2011 and played in all but six of their matches last season, including a full County Championship campaign for the first time, scoring 616 runs at 29.33, but informed the club at the end of the season that he wished to move on.

"Having entered into discussions with Wayne at the end of the season he advised us that he no longer wished to play for the club," Leicestershire chief executive Mike Siddall, said. "The Board agreed that it would be in the best interest of club and player that he leaves."

Head Coach Phil Whitticase added: "While we are disappointed to lose Wayne we only want players at Grace Road who have a real desire to play for the club. We have sufficient quality in the squad to make up for Wayne's departure, with an excellent group of committed players."

Leicestershire have been suffering from talent-drain for several years. Ben Smith, Darren Maddy, Luke Wright, Stuart Broad, James Taylor and Harry Gurney are among the players to have been reared at Grace Road before leaving to flourish elsewhere.

White began his career at his home-county, Derbyshire, but it was after moving to Grace Road in 2008 that his career got going. He made his maiden first-class century, his only to date, against his old club in 2010 and enjoyed the best season of his career in 2012, taking a career-best first-class haul of 5 for 54 in April on the way to 43 wickets at 29.90.

But with a year to run on his two-year contract, he has decided to leave Grace Road for Old Trafford where Lancashire cricket director Mike Watkinson sees potential in White.

"He is still an emerging cricketer which fits well with our strategy and is adept in all formats of the game," Watkinson said. "He has had an impressive record over the past couple of seasons which suggests there are better things to come. Wayne will bring additional quality in our seam bowling department and will also contribute with the bat in the middle order."

White will be still be playing Division Two cricket next season at least after Lancashire were relegated in 2012. Nevertheless, he said he was excited about challenging for trophies with Lancashire.

"Playing at Old Trafford is something I am really looking forward to," White said. "The club has put a lot of work into redeveloping the ground and securing the Ashes Test for this year. Hopefully, as a playing group, we can make it a memorable one on the field for Lancashire, too. Working with Peter Moores and his staff is a great opportunity for me and I am excited by his plans for the playing squad.

"I have enjoyed my time with Leicestershire and it will be a wrench to leave, but I am looking forward to a new, exciting chapter in my career with Lancashire and to be part of a successful playing squad."