Have Leicestershire Secured Josh Davey and Jonny Tattersall on Three-Year Deals?

Leicestershire, Aug 19 (NationPress) Leicestershire has made headlines with the announcement of the dual acquisition of Scotland international Josh Davey and Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Tattersall, both signing three-year contracts.

Davey, departing from Somerset after over ten years, and Tattersall will join the team on November 1, coinciding with the conclusion of their current contracts.

The duo, seasoned players at ages 35 and 30 respectively, is anticipated to infuse significant experience into a talented Leicestershire squad, which is striving for a long-awaited return to Division One—a feat last achieved in 2003.

Davey’s impressive track record features 62 caps for Scotland and participation in two T20 World Cups. He’s taken 214 first-class wickets at an average of 24.25, 128 in List A at 25.90, and 116 in T20 matches at 21.77. This summer, he also filled in as an emergency opener for Somerset and has prior familiarity with Grace Road, having briefly played for Leicestershire on loan in 2023.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the transition, Davey stated, "Conversations with Fons (Alfonso Thomas) and Claude (Henderson) revealed a shared vision for advancing the club. The next three years promise to be thrilling as the team evolves into a competitive force. I look forward to contributing my extensive experience across all formats to the talented squad here.

"I connected with many teammates during my loan in 2023, and I enjoyed the environment. Players like Ben Green, Lewis Goldsworthy, and Josh Thomas have all returned with positive feedback, which influenced my decision. I aim to help Leicestershire establish itself in the first division and pursue silverware. I believe we can emerge as a formidable presence in all three competitions in the coming years."

Meanwhile, Tattersall's arrival compensates for the departure of Harry Swindells, who had to retire due to injury last month. A product of Yorkshire, Tattersall debuted in 2013 and has made 155 appearances. His standout performance came in 2024 when he led the county’s promotion back to Division One, averaging 40.18 and achieving 29 dismissals behind the stumps. A memorable century last season was scored at Grace Road in September, contributing to Yorkshire’s return to the top tier.

Reflecting on his choice, Tattersall remarked, "Leicestershire boasts a rich history and has assembled a team poised for progress. I sense a strong sense of purpose and focus within the group as we look to achieve our goals in the coming years, making it incredibly exciting to contribute to this journey. I hope to share my first division experience and guide younger players while delivering quality performances myself.

"I will dedicate myself to elevating my game and assisting Leicestershire in securing victories, with the hope of adding more trophies to our cabinet."

Welcoming the new signings, Leicestershire’s director of cricket Claude Henderson expressed his enthusiasm: "Josh is an exceptional talent who will greatly contribute to our red-ball and white-ball efforts. We are familiar with his character and confidence that he will seamlessly integrate into Leicestershire. His extensive Division One experience will be invaluable to our team.

"Jonny’s character, leadership qualities, and overall cricket skills are remarkable. He will enhance our dressing room dynamics and add depth to our batting lineup, positioning him as a crucial asset to our squad."