Tom Reeves assesses the options for Tymal Mills now that he is expected to leave Essex…
England Lions bowler and ex-University of East London student Tymal Mills is set to leave Essex when his contract expires this winter, so where next for the pace bowler?
Mills, 22, came through the club’s academy and was first selected for the England Development programme at Under-18/19 level.
He went onto make his LV County Championship debut in 2011 but really began to make a name for himself, as he impressed in an Ashes warm-up match against England.
He caused the likes of Graeme Swann problems in the match, played in early July 2014.
Mills, who regularly clocks 90mph, was then drafted into the senior side’s Ashes training camp to provide the batsmen with practice against left-arm pace bowling.
Here’s a look at what direction Mills’s career might take next.
Another LV County Championship Division Two club
It seems improbable Mills would have opted to leave one of the most well-regarded LV County Championship Division Two outfits in Essex to join a league rival.
In fact, it is expected he opted to leave the Chelmsford-based club so he could help bolster his chances of getting an England Test call-up by joining a Division One club.
However, there is the distinct possibility a very financially attractive offer could tempt him to join one of Essex’s rivals.
Sussex
Sussex are rumoured to be in front in the race to sign the 22-year-old.
Their pace attack was reliant on Australian Steve Magoffin last campaign and Mills would help improve their limited resources.
Sussex’s reputation for helping to reinvigorate careers could also be a factor with all-rounder Chris Jordan their most recent example.
Worcestershire
Worcestershire are another potential suitor for the 90mph pace bowler.
The club has a good link with the England set-up and that could help develop Mills into an international player, though there is the possibility they will be put off by the 22-year-old’s injury record, which restricted him to just 12 games last season.
Essex
A dramatic return to Chelmsford seems unlikely to say the least.
A late change of heart turned from doubtful to virtually impossible in the days after Mills announced his decisions to leave when a war of words broke out with coach Paul Grayson.