Following batsman David Byas' decision to retire from first-class cricket, Smethurst has decided that a move to another county is the way to further his career.

The 26-year-old, who stands 6ft 5ins tall, made his Lancashire debut in 1999 and has taken 85 first-class wickets at a respectable average of 28 runs each.

His contract expired at the end of the 2002 season, during which he played in only two Championship games and a handful of one-day matches because of injury and the emergence of youngsters James Anderson and Kyle Hogg.

Smethurst is currently recuperating following a hernia operation.