Shah confirms talks with Essex
England batsman Owais Shah has confirmed that he is in talks with Essex over a contract for the 2011 season.
Shah was told by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Essex-c783 thought to be leading
the way to sign him.
Shah will be hoping that talks with Essex can be concluded quickly. It's important the batsman can settle quickly at a new county to strengthen his chances of playing for England again.
A move to Essex would mean a number of positive things for both the player and the county. However, nothing is set in stone and there is still time for other counties to act.
Player and county
Essex is going to be happy that the county's officials have managed to start negotiations with a quality player. Shah has the ability to score big hundreds and this will be vital for Essex who may be forced
to play a lot of next season without Alastair Cook.
Essex has the players that would improve Shah's game even though he's now 31-years-old. He will fit into the side around some very attacking players and will provide a calming influence, which will enhance
his importance.
Shah would benefit from a move to Essex because it would not be a huge geographical change. He would not have to relocate his family and could commute to and from the county easily.
Shah said: "It's no secret I've been talking to Essex. Nothing's been signed or anything like that, so we'll have to see what the county offers me. I still have a desire to play for England, whether that
will happen I don't know, for me it's more important that I'm playing my cricket in a good environment."
Still time
There is still time for other counties to act and sign Shah. Essex will not have the player under contract until he's put pen to paper. There is still room for other counties to negotiate a possible deal
although it seems like a matter of time before Essex cave in to the player's demands.
Essex will be playing four-day cricket in the second division of the county championship next season. Any division one side that is interested in Shah will have an advantage for this reason because the
standard of cricket is lower in the second division.
Essex coach Paul Grayson added: "We're speaking to him and we'd love to get Owais to the club. Hopefully we can come to some sort of deal. It's just a question of sitting down and agreeing personal terms
because he's not a cheap player. We're looking to bring people in. There's quite a few players available and we're looking to bring in the right sort of characters. People that can make us improve."
Betting advice
Shah is a player that can score big hundreds in any format of the game. It would be a real coup for Essex if the county manages to get a deal for him sorted out.
If he does sign for Essex, then back Shah to score a century in any four-day game next season. He is too good a player to be playing in the second division of the county championship. He will score a lot
of runs at the level Essex plays at.
Shah is a player that likes the big occasion. Essex has a lot of matches broadcast from the county's home ground at Chelmsford. This means Shah is a great bet to score runs in front of the cameras and
when the pressure is on.
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