Nottinghamshire have announced that wicketkeeper David Alleyne has left Trent Bridge by mutual consent.

The 31-year-old agreed terms to be released from his contract, which ran until the end of the 2008 season, after Chris Read slipped down the pecking order with England.

Director of Cricket Mick Newell said: “With Chris not currently in England’s plans, we felt that it was unfair on David to be kicking his heels in the Second XI.

“We also have Bilal Shafayat available to offer us a younger option as back-up wicketkeeper and given the situation, we felt it was best to give David the chance to look for first team cricket.”

Newell made it clear that Alleyne left with his best wishes and added: “I do want to thank David for his work during his time with us.

“He never let us down when he played and proved an excellent and able deputy.”

Alleyne signed from Middlesex in 2004 and played 17 first-class matches for Notts, averaging 30.47 with the bat and scoring one hundred, while claiming 50 victims behind the stumps.