Tudor released by Essex

Alex Tudor has agreed with Essex to be released owing to increasingly limited opportunities at the club. The fast bowler, who has been playing 2nd XI cricket for much of this season, is now searching for a loan deal with another county for the rest of the year.

Tudor has spent four years with the club, the first of those two on a performance-related basis owing to concerns over his fitness, but although he has been injury-free in 2008, first-team appearances were increasingly thin on the ground.

Maurice Chambers has recently taken his fast-bowling spot in the Championship. Tudor was picked in Essex's Friends Provident Trophy quarter-final side against Leicestershire at Grace Road, but missing out on the semi-final against Yorkshire at the County Ground was possibly the trigger. The club's chief executive David East has said that it would be in Tudor's best interests to explore new pastures.

"There is no doubt he has a great deal still to offer in the professional game", said East. "On that basis we have agreed that we are prepared to loan Alex to another county over the course of the rest of the season should an opportunity arise and we wish him well in his future career wherever he ends up."

Tudor, the former England fast bowler, said it was "a shame" he had to go but realised it was "the best way for everyone".

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my four years at Essex and am delighted to have been able to prove my fitness during my time at the club. I understand my opportunities will be limited with Essex from now on but I feel I still have plenty to offer and am keen to get the chance to prove that with another county", Tudor told the Essex CCC website.

Tudor is famed for his 99 not out for England, batting as a nightwatchman against New Zealand in the 1999 Test at Edgbaston. He reminded everyone of his ability during his time at Essex in 2006, with a century against Derbyshire and 5 for 67 against Somerset.