Gareth Delany joins Running Foxes

Leicestershire County Cricket Club is pleased to announce the signing of Ireland international Gareth Delany as one of the club’s overseas player for the 2020 season.

The all-rounder will be available for the duration of the 2020 Vitality Blast competition, including the knockout stages should Leicestershire Foxes progress.

Delany has a strike rate of over 150 in international T20s and also has an impressive economy rate as a leg-spinner.

Talented 23-year-old Delany made his inter-provincial debut in the shortest format of the game in the 2017 and has recorded 1,046 runs at an average of 27.52, striking at 143.28. He has taken 29 wickets and has an economy rate of 7.29.

The all-rounder’s international T20 statistics includes a best score of 89 not out from just 49 balls against Oman.

His 436 runs have been scored at pace, and Delany provides a threat with the ball and is able to apply the brakes given his economy rate is 7.41 per over.

Delany is a key part of the Ireland squad and recently opened the batting in the One-Day International matches against England, where he also took the wicket of Tom Banton.

On the move, Delany said: “I’m really excited to be playing in the Blast, I was really unsure if I’d ever have the opportunity to play in County cricket, so I’m over the moon to be playing with Leicestershire and very grateful to both the club and Cricket Ireland for this chance.

It’ll be a challenging environment, but one from which I am hoping to further develop my game.”

Leicestershire CCC Head Coach Paul Nixon said: “Gareth is a talented young all-rounder we have been keeping an eye on for a while.

“We have been looking for a top-order batsman and a leg-spin bowler, as they are worth weight in gold in T20 cricket, and Gareth ticks both boxes for us.

“He is young, hungry to do well, and has good experience for a young player so will be a great addition to our squad.”