Exciting left-arm paceman Tymal Mills has turned down a new contract with Essex and decided to leave the club.
The 22-year-old, whose raw pace saw him used as a net bowler during last winter’s Ashes tour to prepare England’s players for facing Mitchell Johnson, is set to find a new county.
Mills has struggled with injury this season, limiting him to one first-team Essex appearance since mid-June.
He has therefore missed out on selection for the England Performance Programme, which he was part of last winter.
Essex head coach Paul Grayson said: “We are of course disappointed that Tymal has decided to leave the club, especially as he is one of our own from the Essex Academy.
“There was an attractive new contract offer on the table for him but he has decided to reject and continue his career with a new club.”
Mills said: “It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to leave Essex CCC.
“I want to thank the club for giving me my introduction into professional cricket and in particular to John Childs, for my time spent on the academy, and then Chris Silverwood, who has helped me no end since turning professional.
“I am excited for the next chapter in my career and wish the club all the best moving forward.”
An Essex statement, detailing Mills’ decision, ended: ‘The club would like to wish Tymal the best of luck with his career.’
Mills follows fellow youngsters Ben Foakes and Tom Craddockplus veterans Sajid Mahmoodand Tim Phillips, who today announced his retirement, in leaving Essex of late.