Edwards to join Nottinghamshire

Neil Edwards, the Somerset opening batsman, has agreed terms on a three-year deal to join Nottinghamshire next season.

Nottinghamshire have been aiming to strengthen their top order in the Championship and Edwards adds to the signing of Scott Newman on loan from Surrey, which was secured earlier this month and could become a permanent deal

"I've been aware of Neil since 2007 but we've had a close eye on him recently and he has a good record in first class cricket," said Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire's director of cricket. "It's no secret that we've been looking for an opening batsmen and Neil has been stuck behind a quality opening pair at Somerset and feels that he needs a new challenge."

Edwards hasn't played for Somerset's first team this year and his best campaign came in 2007 when he scored 1,251 runs at an average of 48.