Worcester Trade Off

Either accidental or by the design of persons unspecified, there has certainly been quite a few player exchanges between New Road and Trent Bridge in recent times.

So which county is winning in these trade-offs?

Since Mr Moores has had one hand on the steering wheel at Trent Bridge, and yes Mr Newell also has a hand on the wheel, keeps hold of the bus keys and the cheque book, there has been significant player traffic between the two counties.

 

Is it more than ever before?

Notts lost a fans' favourite in Riki Wessels* at the end of 2018, Riki "looking for a new challenge". A year later Jake Libby followed the same route, after successfully reinventing himself as a multi-format player, to the surprise of coaching staff and to the delight of the Notts supporters, Jake Libby 2.0! The head coach had egg on his face. Both players a loss to Notts fans at least.

At the end of 2018, Joe Clarke took the reverse journey, Worcestershire perhaps glad to be shot of their rising star as the Alex Hepburn court case hit the news in 2019. Clarke's form slumped following the revelations but Clarke, according to the presiding judge had done nothing illegal, but was condemned by more judgemental, more unforgiving "judges". The cleansing properties of global pandemic did little to detoxify Clarke's name, but in the last couple of years we have seen a much matured and prolific scoring player. England's loss is Notts gain.

2021, former Notts Outlaws overseas, Ish Sodhi had a stint as a Rapid.

In 2023 Mr Newell shook a pear tree and three pears landed in his lap for the 2024 season, all products of the Worcestershire systems and all will be sorely missed by Pears supporters.

Jack Haynes as soon as his move was announced, was sidelined by Worcestershire "a lack of form" was given as their excuse. Haynes possess great potential but in 2024 that potential remained unfulfilled. - we saw glimpses but they were all too brief and as yet he is still to make a meaningful impact, but the Notts team performances in 2024 were generally poor in all formats and not an environment conducive to bold breakthrough solos.

Dillon Pennington was probably looking to extend himself and progress in his career, hence his desire to move to a Test venue. After some modifications to his action with Shiny, instant success saw Dillon on the cusp of a Test call when struck down by a needless injury whist taking part in the franchise nonesense. When fit he'll be an asset to Notts but how much of a fit Pennington will Notts see once England come calling?

The third Pear, Josh Tongue, we are yet to get a taste of. He was clearly encouraged to relocate to a Test venue so that Team England could manage their man. He remained crocked through-out the 2024 season and has only bowled for England Lions since and those were only light work-outs.

Of course players should be free to sign and play with whom they chose, once their contract has run its course. Contracts are there to be honoured, except when...

Notts possibly mishandled Fateh Singh, or at least the head coach had too much faith in some players, that ultimately failed to deliver and over looked others and ran out of fixtures. Fateh Singh spent a period on loan, which got extended, at New Road in 2024. During that period, the spin department at Trent Bridge, already conjested, became even more competitive in Fateh's absence. The Notts eleven is crying out for a spin bowler that can contribute with the bat in all formats. Patterson-White and Harrison have had the bulk of the opportunities in the years since Samit Patel stood down from red ball cricket, without being able to fulfill their batting obligations with any consistency. The rapid emergence of Farhan Ahmed must have only forced a rapid tactical rethink.... the coach and captain might have to now select elevens with balanced attacks and reference the pitch conditions more than at any time than in the past decade, so...

 Although, Fateh with 12 months remaining on his contract, rather than having that year on loan at another county, to gain the experience and prove his future worth to Notts, Notts released the player from his contract and allowed Worcestershire to secure his services full time, leaving this Notts supporter with mixed emotions. A good more for the player, but a move Notts might regret in the future if they've again backed the wrong horses. We all would prefer Notts lads in the Notts eleven.

Joining Fateh at New Road in 2025 will be Kiwi Notts player of 2024, Jacob Duffy.

So who is getting the better deal in this two way trade off?

*released early from his Nottinghamshire contract also