County Cricket Round-Up - 12th October

County Cricket Round-Up - 12th October

Gary Keedy will join fellow Yorkshireman Gareth Batty at The Oval next season.

©Action Images / Keith Williams Livepic

Surrey have further strengthened their spin bowling stocks by signing veteran Lancashire left-arm spinner Gary Keedy on a two-year contract. 

Keedy, 37, turned down the advances of Warwickshire at the end of last season in favour of a contract extension at Old Trafford, but asked the club to release him early from this so that he could sign for Surrey.

Speaking this week, Keedy paid tribute to his time at Lancashire, saying, “I have had a fantastic eighteen seasons at Lancashire and would like to thank all the players, staff and members there for everything they have done for me.

“Winning the County Championship in 2011 was an incredible moment for both the club and myself and one that will stay with me forever. Working with Simon Kerrigan and Steve Parry over the last few years has been very rewarding and I feel they can go forward and play a big role for Lancashire in the future.

"However, I have reached the time in my career when I need to move on in order to fulfil my ambitions and I am very excited to be joining Surrey at this time. They are a great club with a long history and an exciting future and I am really looking to playing my part over the next few seasons."

Nottinghamshire slow left-arm spinner Graeme White has signed a two-year contract extension. White joined from Northamptonshire in 2010 and has played mainly limited-overs cricket for the club. However, with Samit Patel’s England career burgeoning, he is likely to be needed more and more in four-day cricket next season. 

In 2012, White took 30 wickets at an average of 27.4 in all cricket and played four LV= County Championship matches, returning figures of four for 97 against Surrey in the penultimate game of the season.

White reflected on his spell at Trent Bridge thus far, saying, “I’ve had to be patient in terms of four-day cricket because Samit Patel is ahead of me and we rarely play two spinners at Trent Bridge but I’ve been pleased with what I’ve been able to do when I’ve had my chance. I want to play in all formats and Samit’s success with England will create more opportunities for me.

"The Friends Life t20 matches at Trent Bridge have been particularly enjoyable for me and I would hope that we can reach finals day again soon."

County Cricket News In Brief:
Gloucestershire seam-bowler Paul Muchall will continue his coaching career by filling the role of player-coach with Auckland club side Birkenhead City CC this winter. He spent the last few winters coaching in Hong Kong.

Members of Derbyshire’s LV= County Championship Division Two winning side will attend a Civic Reception hosted by the Mayor Derby this evening.

© Cricket World 2012