Yasir signing sees Tredwell looking for move

James Tredwell has asked Kent for permission to talk to other counties having become frustrated by his lack of first team opportunities.

Tredwell, England's Test spinner as recently as April 2015, has been limited to just 32.4 overs so far in the Championship season as a combination of unhelpful surfaces and selection issues have minimised his opportunities.

The final straw appears to have come with the signing of Pakistan legspinner Yasir Shah as Kent's overseas player for four matches in mid-season. While Yasir's pedigree is undoubted - he was the second fastest bowler in Test history to claim 100 wickets - so is Tredwell's frustration. Having played five early-season Championship matches on unresponsive surfaces, the 35-year-old Tredwell could be forgiven for looking forward to playing in more helpful conditions in mid-season.

Tredwell, who has been granted a benefit season this year, is out of contract with Kent in October. The club have another highly-rated offspinner, Adam Riley, on their staff. He has yet to play a first team game this season.

Their fortunes could be used to illustrate the plight of the contemporary spinner in English cricket. With much of the Championship campaign played in early-season conditions where seamers are expected to do the bulk of the bowling, the opportunities for spin bowling in red ball cricket are diminishing by the year.

Daniel Bell-Drummond and Sam Billings are also out of contract with Kent the end of the season. While Bell-Drummond is understood to have held talks with Warwickshire, who have made approaches to several players, Kent remain quietly confident of retaining his services. Not only do they have at least as good a chance of Warwickshire of playing Division One cricket next year, but Bell-Drummond emerged through the Kent system alongside the likes of Billings, Riley, Adam Ball and Sam Northeast and is immersed in the culture of the club.

Kent have not ruled out the possibility of offering Tredwell a new contract.