Hutton departure underlines Notts rebuilding job

Nottinghamshire are facing an acute rebuilding job after the regaining of their Division One place in the Championship, following success in both limited-overs competitions, completed one of the most successful seasons in their history.

The departure of reliable seamer Brett Hutton, who the club has confirmed has joined Northamptonshire following the expiry of his contract, is the latest blow for a county that has also lost wicketkeeper Chris Read to retirement and saw two batsmen, Michael Lumb and Brendon Taylor. Depart during the season.

It is also barely a year since the England batsman, James Taylor, had to take premature retirement because of a serious heart condition.

Notts have recruited Paul Coughlin, Durham's T20 captain, but they missed out on his team-mate Keaton Jennings and look light on numbers and experience as they prepare for life back in the top division.

Hutton, 24, has departed for Northants in search of a more central and regular role in all forms of the game, making light of the fact that his new county were pipped for promotion by Notts on Thursday on the final day of the season.

A strong right-arm seamer, Hutton finished as Nottinghamshire's leading wicket-taker during the 2017 Championship season with 37 and was offered a new deal at Trent Bridge.

But he turned down those terms and was the subject of interest from a number of other clubs before agreeing a move to Wantage Road.

Notts' director of cricket Mick Newell did not disguise his disappointment. "We are disappointed to see a talented player who has come through our Academy ranks, and who we hold in high regard, leaving us, especially after he finished the season so strongly," he said.

"We made it known to Brett in the early stages of the season that we wanted him to stay at Trent Bridge. But he informed us of his decision to explore his options in May, expressing his desire to leave because he wants to be a regular in all forms of cricket, something we haven't been able to guarantee in the process of winning two white ball trophies this summer.

"Brett believes that moving to Northamptonshire will give him a better chance to play in all formats, and, while we felt he had a bright future with us, we respect that decision.

"He has conducted himself in a thoroughly professional manner this summer, even when he informed us that he was going to leave. He has continued to perform at a high level in every match for Notts and been a key part of our success. We wish Brett all the best for his time at Wantage Road and in his future career."

Doncaster-born Hutton made his senior debut for Notts against the MCC in 2011 and played his first List A game against Sri Lanka A in the same year. He took his 100th first-class wicket in the penultimate game of the season at Northamptonshire and has scored just shy of 1,000 runs batting down the order during that time.

Northants, who finished a creditable third despite a small squad, are also negotiating with Luke Procter, the Lancashire all-rounder, who impressed during a loan spell at the end of the season.