Lancashire: Stephen Moore allowed to leave promoted county

Stephen Moore will leave Lancashire at the end of the 2013 season after the Division Two leaders announced they will not offer the opener a new deal.

The 32-year-old joined the Red Rose in 2009 and scored 1,013 first-class runs in 2011 as Lancashire ended a 77-year wait to be outright county champions.

But his form has dipped since then and he has not appeared in a Championship game since the start of June.

Lancashire were promoted back to Division One on Saturday.

Although former Worcestershire batsman Moore was a regular in limited-overs cricket in 2013, his route back to the starting line-up in the four-day game has been blocked by the emergence of youngster Luis Reece, who had scored half centuries in seven consecutive Championship innings prior to their fixture at Gloucestershire.

Head coach Peter Moores told the club website: "Stephen has been an outstanding member of the squad and had a major influence in the Championship-winning team in 2011.

"Through a lack of opportunity in four-day cricket, it has been decided to allow him to look for opportunities elsewhere. I would like to thank him for all he has given to the team in his time with us."