Ben Duckett, potentially one of the most devastating players in the English game, will attempt to put his international ambitions back on track with Nottinghamshire. He has accepted a three-year deal with the county and will join them on loan from Northants for the rest of the 2018 season.
Duckett began the season eager to make amends for his ill-advised cameo role in England's disastrous Ashes series last winter when a spot of tomfoolery in a Perth bar, during which James Anderson became drenched in alcohol, gained widespread attention.
He was suspended from the rest of the England Lions tour and warned about his future conduct, a naïve figure caught up in a febrile Ashes atmosphere during which England's off-field behaviour had been a constant topic, especially for an opportunistic Australian media.
For all Northants' considerable support, however, his returns have been disappointing. He missed the start of the season because of a finger operation and has made only four half-centuries and one century across all three formats this summer, never entering the England conversation at a time when their top-order failings are all too apparent.
Duckett's England career extended to three ODIs and three Tests on England's tour to Bangladesh and India in late 2016 when his technique against the India spinner R Ashwin was fiercely scrutinised.
At 23, Nottinghamshire will calculate that they have signed a player of huge potential, one who can help extend their reputation as one of county cricket's most dangerous limited-overs outfits.
Director of cricket Mick Newell said: "We're really excited to have signed an all format player such as Ben who still has a great deal of potential. We believe Ben can be a key asset for the club moving forward and we hope we can work with him to reignite his international ambitions by seeing the best of him in a Notts shirt. He's a great talent and we can't wait for him to get started with us."
Northants' chairman of cricket Nigel Felton said: "We are disappointed to be losing a player of Ben's potential. He enjoyed international recognition and contributed significantly to domestic success whilst at the County. We wish him all the very best for the future."
Duckett has spent the entirety of his career at Northamptonshire, making his way up through the age groups from Under-13 level, into the Academy and then contributing to a successful period for the club which saw Northants claim two T20 Blast trophies and fall just short of promotion into Division One last year.
He is the second opening batsman Notts have signed this month, following Derbyshire's Ben Slater whose arrival at Trent Bridge was finally confirmed last week.
He could make his debut at Trent Bridge next week against Yorkshire, who were one of several other clubs in contention for his signature.
"I've had 12 fantastic years at Northants, who I can't thank enough for all the support and success experienced in recent seasons." he said. "But I felt I needed a new chapter, a new challenge to stretch myself and get the most out of my game. Trent Bridge is an incredible ground and the squad has an unbelievable amount of talent.
"I want to push myself, learn as much as a I can test myself against some of the best players in the country. I want to focus on becoming the best player I can be, and believe Nottinghamshire is the best place for me to do that. I can't wait to get started."