Notts sad to let Elstone and Turner go

By Dave Bracegirdle

Nottinghamshire coach Wayne Noon has admitted it was a difficult decision not to offer Karl Turner or Scott Elstone new deals at Trent Bridge.

Elstone is a product of the Nottinghamshire Academy and shot to prominence with two catches for England while acting as twelfth man in the Trent Bridge Test match against India in 2011. The 22-year-old played 16 one-day and 18 t20 matches for Notts but failed to make a first-class appearance.

Turner arrived at Nottinghamshire after a five-year spell in Durham’s second eleven and trials with Derbyshire and Hampshire. He made his first-class debut in 2011 but couldn’t firmly establish a spot at the top of the order, having scored 227 runs in nine first-class innings for the county.
 
Reflecting on their departures, Noon admitted he was sorry to see them both leave. “It’s never easy, no matter how many times you go through it as a coach or player when two cricketers, who you like and get on with, have to move on," he said. "It’s a very difficult time.”

Noon explained how difficult it had been for both players to try to force their way into the Championship side at Trent Bridge.

“The signings of James Taylor and Michael Lumb, to strengthen up our batting, has meant that we have been able to keep the same top six in every format we play in. It’s a shame but they just haven’t had the opportunities because of the strength of the six that are ahead of them.

“Karl had a disappointing pre-season tour and Neil Edwards jumped ahead of him to start the season and he hasn’t been able to force his way back into the side.

“Scott came to us from Staffordshire as a 13-year-old and we’ve seen him progress nicely with the bat. He’s an excellent fielder, as England found out last year and the Trent Bridge crowds have witnessed, but it’s the same problem. It’s been so difficult for him to break into the top six in our order.

The news was broken to Elstone exactly a year after he skippered his side to success in the Second Eleven Trophy but Noon is sure he won’t be lost to the game.

“I feel for Scott and have got to know him quite well over the years, and I will do everything I can to try to get him fixed up with another club.”



Date: 13/09/2012 09:25:00 by Dave Bracegirdle
In: Today | Nottinghamshire |