Saturday 13 June 2015 12:38, UK
Somerset spinner George Dockrell has joined Division One rivals Sussex on loan for a month.
The Ireland international has not been selected in any of Somerset's County Championship matches this season and director of cricket Matt Maynard is keen to get him more first-class cricket.
Dockrell could make his Sussex debut this weekend in Arundel - they face Surrey in the NatWest T20 Blast on Sunday and then Durham in a four-day game starting on Monday.
Maynard told the county's website: “George is a quality performer and has played a lot of International cricket but following the signing of Abdur Rehman he has had limited opportunities this year.
"He has been offered the chance to go to Sussex ahead of the World T20 Qualifiers and we have allowed him to make the temporary switch.
"I think this will be good for him and good for Somerset too because he will get some First Class game time which is vital at this stage of his career.
“Second XI cricket is less intense than First Class cricket and there is no substitute for playing for the first XI. That is what is behind this move.
"George has definitely got a future here in Taunton and is still very much a part of the squad. We look forward to seeing him back at the County Ground with a little more First Class experience under his belt.
“George is at the stage of his career where he quite rightly wants to be playing regularly at the highest level domestically. He’s a great lad, is very ambitious and has done tremendously well for Ireland over the years.”
Dockrell added: “It’s going to be an interesting few weeks in a new environment but it will be good to get some First Class cricket under my belt.
"I’ve played a lot of second XI cricket in the last few years but to develop my game I need to be playing first XI cricket and this will give me the opportunity. It’s only for a month and I’ll be coming back with a bit more experience which will hopefully help me and Somerset.”
