Adam Rossington saga at Northamptonshire develops as wicketkeeper moves to Essex

Rossington was stripped of the captaincy at Northants last month, with Ricardo Vasconcelos taking the reins in red-ball cricket and Josh Cobb in limited-overs matches

Adam Rossington is to join Essex on loan after contract talks at Northamptonshire broke down.

Rossington was stripped of the captaincy at Northants last month, with Ricardo Vasconcelos taking the reins in red-ball cricket and Josh Cobb in limited-overs matches.

The Cricketer understands a breakdown has taken place in the relationship between the wicketkeeper-batsman and new head coach John Sadler, prompting the signing on a one-month loan of Hampshire keeper Lewis McManus last week.

And now the extent of the issue has been all the more evident by news of Rossington's temporary switch to Chelmsford.

^{Adam Rossington is leaving Northamptonshire on a loan move to Essex}

Rossington will move to Essex for the entire season but will not be eligible to take part in matches against his parent club.

In a statement, Northamptonshire said that Rossington requested time away from the squad after the captaincy arrangement was changed.

The statement read: "The cricket committee were happy to support this and maintained a conversation throughout, but unfortunately could not come to an agreement."

The 28-year-old will compete for the gloves with Adam Wheater at Essex, and his signing adds extra depth to a squad which is already expected to challenge for the Division One title.

His current contract at Wantage Road is due to expire at the end of 2022 and it now appears almost certain that he will leave the club permanently at that point.

"It's disappointing Adam doesn't see his future with Northamptonshire, but everyone at the club truly wishes him well for the future and we thank him for his fantastic service over the past eight years and as captain most recently," chief executive Ray Payne said.

"Adam did a brilliant job as captain after taking over in difficult circumstances in 2019 and the cricket committee had Adam as a central part of our plans moving forward.

^{Rossington spent eight years at Wantage Road}

"Conversations around keeping him here had been ongoing since the end of last season so it's a shame he won’t be with the squad as they take that place in Division One."

Rossington said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my eight years at Northamptonshire and was looking forward to leading the lads in Division One this season. I wasn't expecting a change so I'm sad to be leaving, but the club will always hold a special place in my heart.

"We've created some wonderful memories in that dressing room that I’ll take with me and I’d like to say thank you to my teammates and the supporters as well."

Essex head coach Anthony McGrath said: "The signing will give us more options over the course of a busy summer of cricket and create some healthy competition for places which is an important factor to improving as a group and achieving success.

"He was Northants' captain up until recently so will also bring those leadership qualities and added experience to the group, which is important, especially following the departures of experienced squad members last year."