Franks clarifies desire to stay at Notts

By Dave Bracegirdle

Nottinghamshire all-rounder Paul Franks has confirmed his desire to stay at Trent Bridge and fight for his first team place. The 33-year-old has only featured in seven of the twelve County Championship matches so far played this season but returned for last week’s draw against Somerset at Taunton.

It was reported in the media that he was now free to talk to other counties about a move, a situation that Franks is eager to clarify. “I think it’s been unfortunately misinterpreted from my point of view,” he said. “I went to Mick Newell and expressed an interest in what my current standing was within the squad and he made it perfectly clear I had to compete for my place, which I’m more than happy to do.”

Another long-standing Nottinghamshire servant, Charlie Shreck, left to join Kent last year in a bid to play regular first team cricket. “It’s a similar situation to Charlie’s,” admitted Franks. “Someone at my age needs to be playing cricket and not keeping the bench warm. For everyone’s benefit it was just a clarification of my current status.

“I was disappointed with how it was interpreted in the press. It came across as if I’d been asked to leave, which is very much not the case and I’m more than happy to compete for my place. If I ever get to the stage where I’m told I’m not wanted then I’ll happily move on.”

After the Championship break for Twenty20 matches, Notts director of cricket Newell initially went with a four-man seam attack of Andre Adams, Ben Phillips, Harry Gurney and Andy Carter – before Franks was recalled at Taunton to strengthen the batting.
 
“I’ve been a little bit frustrated at times this year with the opportunities I’ve had when I’ve been in the team - particularly from a bowling point of view," said Franks. "Mick and Chris (Read) know that, so I’m not talking out of school here, but it’s important when I get my opportunity that I try to take it and hopefully during the Somerset game I showed I’ve still got the capabilities to perform well.”

Franks also makes it clear that, whatever happens regarding his future, Newell will always be the first to know. “Mick and I have known each other since I was 13 or 14 years old and there are no issues there. Chris is a very close friend as well and we’ve known each other for a very long time.
 
"There’ll be no issue with any cloak and dagger-style meetings behind anybody’s back. I’ll be very upfront and I’ve made it very clear that my preference is to stay and play and compete for my place. At the minute it’s nice to be back in the team and there’s no reason why that shouldn’t continue for the rest of the season.”


Date: 14/08/2012 13:08:41 by Dave Bracegirdle
In: Today | Nottinghamshire |