Stuart Poynter leaves Durham, quintet sign rookie contracts

Jonathan Bushnell, Harry Crawshaw, Luke Doneathy, Tom Mackintosh and Oliver Gibson have all penned one-year rookie deals

Wicketkeeper Stuart Poynter will leave Durham at the end of the season after seven years at Chester-le-Street.

The 30-yer-old former Ireland international played six LV=Insuance County Championship matches in 2021, scoring just 85 runs at 14.16 and taking 22 dismissals.

He didn't feature in either the Royal London One-Day Cup and T20 Blast.

During seven years at Durham, Poynter struck 1,832 runs and claimed 156 dismissals across the formats.

Director of cricket Marcus North said: “Stu will leave us this winter following seven years with the club, he has been a popular and valuable member during this time, and we wish him all the success in his future endeavours.”

Last season's One-Day Cup runners-up have also announced that five young players have signed one-year rookie deals for the 2022 season.

The quintet includes Oliver Gibson, who has been handed a one-year extension following another campaign in the Durham second XI.

Jonathan Bushnell, Harry Crawshaw, Luke Doneathy and Tom Mackintosh meanwhile have signed rookie contracts for the first time.

Both Crawshaw and Doneathy made their first-team debuts in 2021, both featuring for the white-ball team.

“This group of young players have had a successful journey through our pathway and Academy and deserve their opportunity to join our professional squad," added North.

“Throughout the 2021 season they have broken into our Second XI and some debuting in our T20 Blast and RL50 teams. 

"We are excited to see them develop further during the next 12 months working exclusively with the professional squad.”

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