Jefferson leaves Nottinghamshire

Will Jefferson plays to off during his hundred against Oxford UCCE, his last sizeable innings for Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire have released opening batsman Will Jefferson after three years at the club.

Jefferson, 29, who at over 6ft 10in is the tallest man in county cricket, joined from Essex in 2007 and helped win promotion in the LV= County Championship.

But his poor form in 2008 passed over into this season, and he has not played a first-team fixture since June.

Jefferson contributed a 93 and a 75 in early limited-overs matches, but he was unable to solve Notts’ perennial top-order problems in the championship.

Jefferson said: “I am very sad that it has not worked out for me at Notts but it has been an honour to represent the club over the past three seasons and I will always have happy memories of my time here.

“Due to a combination of injuries and a lack of consistency with the bat in the longer form of the game over an extended period of time, I feel it is time to move on and find a new lease of life somewhere else.

“I would like to thank everyone at the club for their help and support and wish the team all the best in the future.”

Notts director of cricket Mick Newell said: “I always look to sign players who have performed consistently well against us and I genuinely thought that Will would kick on and do well here,” said Newell.

“I’m amazed that it hasn’t worked out for him because he is a talented player and I have no doubt that he can continue playing first-class cricket.”