Fazakerley signs first professional contract
Fri 2 Sep 2016
Leicestershire CCC is delighted to announce that Academy graduate Will Fazakerley has signed his first professional contract at the club.
A tall pace bowler who is also a highly capable batsman, Fazakerley has impressed on his first full season on the Academy and has penned a deal for the 2017 season.
The teenager played for Sussex at age group level and went on to represent Guernsey before linking up with the club’s Academy.
Fazakerley has been playing for Barkby United in the Everards Premier League and recently impressed in a win against Rothley Park, taking two wickets before guiding his side home with an unbeaten 55.
The all-rounder joins a squad that has seen lots of players progress through the system at the Fischer County Ground, including Zak Chappell, Rob Sayer, Aadil Ali, Lewis Hill, Jigar Naik, Tom Wells, James Sykes and Ollie Freckingham.
Leicestershire have also given first-class county debuts to players who have gone on to perform well for England in recent years including Stuart Broad, Luke Wright, James Taylor and Harry Gurney.
County have this week announced the signings of talented young duo Harry Dearden and Gavin Griffiths, who had a good upbringing at Lancashire and will now continue their cricketing development at the FCG.
Leicestershire CCC Chief Executive Wasim Khan MBE said: “Will has had a really good season with the Academy and the Second XI and has impressed us greatly with the progress he has made. It is great that Will is signing his first professional contract with Leicestershire County Cricket Club.
“The club has a proud history of encouraging talented players and we will continue to develop youngsters through the age group and Academy system and give those players an opportunity.
“Aadil Ali, Zak Chappell and Rob Sayer are the most recent examples of players who have made an impact for the First XI after coming through the Academy and we look forward to that pathway continuing in the future.
“It was imperative that we brought in some experienced players this summer to support our talented youngsters and we feel that our squad has a good balance as we look to progress further in 2017 and beyond, including talented young players like Will.”
