KingOttis wrote:captaincolly wrote:Durhamfootman wrote:Warks have confirmed the signing of Rushy on a 2 year contract with the chance of a further 12 months after that
It's a good deal for him, I think, and (although I hesitate to say it about a club legend) it might yet prove to be a good deal for us..... unless he does an Onions, of course
I agree on both counts.
I'm not sure how it can be a good deal for us. Even after a (for him) mediocre season, Rushworth would still walk into pretty much any county side, and I don't think our threadbare squad can just absorb his departure. If we had a decent sized squad, with players fighting to get into the side it might be different, but we were woefully short of strength in depth last season, and have since lost one of our better batsmen and our record wicket taker. Obviously his personal circumstances have dictated this situation, and after all his service to the club I respect his wishes, and hope that a move away brings him whatever he needs, but from a Durham viewpoint this feels to me like a huge loss. IMO we need at least two good quality batsmen and two bowlers (presumably one of which would be an overseas player). If I had faith in the decision makers to bring quality players in, then again, maybe Rushworth's departure wouldn't feel so depressing, but personally I don't, and when you take away players who will be snaffled by England next season, our squad is ridiculously light.
Oh I agree - if they do not use the money freed up by his departure to sign quality replacements it will be disastrous. I just think his best years are probably behind him - but it's hard to judge because conditions this year nullified his style of bowling and he also had personal issues that could have impacted on his performances.