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Read drops one-day captaincy

Chris Read has committed his future to Nottinghamshire with a new two-year deal, but will hand over the limited-overs captaincy while retaining the leadership of the Championship team

Staying put: Chris Read will remain a Nottinghamshire player but not their limited-overs captain  •  Getty Images

Staying put: Chris Read will remain a Nottinghamshire player but not their limited-overs captain  •  Getty Images

Chris Read has committed his future to Nottinghamshire with a new two-year deal, but will hand over the limited-overs captaincy while retaining leadership of the Championship team.
Towards the end of the 2013 season, when Nottinghamshire secured the Yorkshire Bank 40 title at Lord's and battled to avoid Championship relegation, Read had put talks about his future on hold. His batting form slumped during the campaign with just two half-centuries in the Championship.
"My focus at the end of last season was on winning a one-day trophy and avoiding relegation so I felt the need to take a couple of weeks to reflect before considering a way forward for myself and the team," Read said.
"I demand a lot from myself and I wasn't happy with my batting in the Championship last season although I felt that I kept wicket to a high standard. I always thought that captaincy was something that I would take on for a few years before handing over the reins. Stepping away from it in limited overs cricket is the start of me doing that.
"Stephen Fleming was incredibly helpful when I began to take on the role here and I will be similarly supportive to the new limited-overs captain."
The club have yet to decide who will take over from Read in the 50-over and 20-over competitions although James Taylor and Michael Lumb are at the head of the queue.
Nottinghamshire are also closing in on securing two key signings: an overseas bowler and a senior top-order batsman. Alongside Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann, who the club rarely see, Taylor, Lumb, Samit Patel and Alex Hales are often part of the England set-up either at full or Lions level.
Read said: "It's important to look forward to next season and to make plans for improvement and we felt that we needed some experienced additions, particularly when we're missing the likes of Alex Hales, Michael Lumb, Samit Patel and James Taylor.
"We've targeted some players with excellent track records and I'm confident that they can improve us."
The other looming issue that Nottinghamshire still need to clear up is their position over Hales, Lumb and any other players who are keen to put their name forward for the IPL. Mick Newell, the head coach, barred any of his squad from going to the tournament this year because he did not want his team weakened but Newell's stance has softened and the club are working to accommodate the IPL.