Tuesday 26 September 2017 14:33, UK
England batsman Keaton Jennings has agreed a four-year deal with Lancashire after becoming the latest high-profile player to leave Durham.
Jennings, 25, who was dropped from the Test side this summer but still hopes to make his way into Wednesday's Ashes squad, cited his continued international ambitions for the "agonising" decision to jump ship.
Durham have already lost their Twenty20 captain Paul Coughlin to Nottinghamshire, which drew the ire of chairman and Sky Sports pundit Sir Ian Botham, while record wicket-taker Graham Onions also announced his intention to move on at the conclusion of the campaign.
Mark Stoneman and Scott Borthwick both departed for Surrey last summer and Jennings said: "Despite being career-driven, the decision to move on has been agonisingly difficult for me.
"Everyone in the north has become, and will remain, family to me but I am hugely excited about joining Lancashire and playing my cricket at Emirates Old Trafford.
"It's a fantastic opportunity for me to play Division One cricket at a Test Match ground for a club, like Lancashire, with such a great history and tradition.
"I have been hugely impressed by the vision for the future and playing a part in that alongside some hugely talented individuals and strong leaders."
Lancashire head coach Glen Chapple said: "I am very pleased Keaton has signed for Lancashire as I know there were other counties chasing his signature.
"He's exactly the type of character and player I feel will add strength and depth to our squad.
"Keaton is a fantastic addition for the club and he will be an important part of the squad, in all formats of the game, over the coming years."
The left-handed opener made his England Test debut on the back of an outstanding season for Durham in all competitions in 2016.
He was the leading run-scorer in the county championship last term with 1,548 runs at an average of 64.5 with seven centuries, including a double hundred against Yorkshire.
Jennings was also impressive in the game's shorter format, an ever-present for Durham in the 2016 NatWest T20 Blast campaign, hitting a career-best 88 as the Jets were beaten finalists at Edgbaston.
Botham wished him well ahead of his Red Rose switch, saying: "Keaton has been an important player for Durham, a natural leader and I have been hugely impressed by his professionalism and courtesy through what has been a very difficult decision for him.
"I would like to take the opportunity to wish him well for the future."
Durham later announced that batsman Will Smith will return to the county next season.
The 34-year-old, who played in all three of Durham's County Championship-winning sides and captained them to their 2009 success, had left the north east for Hampshire in 2013.
Head coach Jon Lewis said: "He is a versatile cricketer who can fill several roles in the championship, provide experience in the middle order in limited-overs cricket and is an excellent character to have in the dressing room.
"He had various offers from other counties but was extremely keen to return to Durham and we are pleased to be welcoming him back."
