"Great Feeling To Be Back Playing" | Hull Relishing Foxes First Team Return

25th August 2024. 25th April 2025. Exactly eight months to the day between Leicestershire appearances. Coincidentally, both at Bristol.

Now, after going two thirds of an injury-plagued year without pulling on the Fox-emblazoned shirt, Josh Hull says it’s a ‘great feeling’ to be back playing cricket again.

The 6ft 7” seamer suffered a series of injury setbacks after his England Test debut against Sri Lanka in September, delaying his return to action for Leicestershire. It’s a road to recovery which has tested his patience and his resolve, but one Hull believes has strengthened his abilities.

“I'm not the greatest watcher of cricket,” he admits. “I always want to be out there bowling, but I’m in a good place now and ready to kick on.

“I spent November rehabbing a lot at Grace Road with Leicestershire and at Loughborough with England, then went away with the [England] Lions to Australia as part of my ‘return to bowling programme.

“I prioritised fitness and strength work, which took me out of cricket for a bit, but I felt like I benefited a lot from that and got back to Leicestershire in a great position.”

His comeback has been a successful one, with the Foxes winning inside three days in both of his two appearances, beating Gloucestershire by two-wickets and Northamptonshire by 132 runs. With Leicestershire flying high at the top of Division Two, Hull says there’s no greater time to have rejoined the squad.

“I’ve been around cricket a lot this winter but not actually playing, so I’ve been champing at the bit to get back involved with the boys. The way they started the campaign only made that hunger stronger.

“It’s not often you come back in and play two games and get two three-day wins. So, that makes it even better.”

An inspired spell from the pumped-up Academy graduate during the second innings instigated the victory charge on the third day. In the space of four overs, he rearranged the furniture of three Northants top order batters, with Ricardo Vasconcelos, Luke Procter, and James Sales all castled by the searing pace of the 20-year-old.

“It's nice to have finally had a spell where everything's felt like it's clicked, and the ball was coming out nicely. To get a few poles off the back of it and help set up that win was really nice.”

It capped an unforgettable few days for Hull, who was presented with his Gold Fox county cap by Club President, Jack Birkenshaw MBE, ahead of play on day one.

“The cap came as quite a surprise,” he laughs. “To have my family there was a very proud moment, both personally and for them too, and it’s going to be a huge privilege to walk out with the Gold Fox on every time I get the opportunity in the coming years.”

Pressed on the ambitions he has for the upcoming seasons, Hull’s levelheadedness shines through, with the towering talent reluctant to look too far ahead.

“I’m just focussing on keeping myself fresh and making sure I’m in contention for Lord’s. I hope to carry on contributing to wins if I get the chance to play. 

“We’ve got two Championship games coming up before the Blast, so hopefully we can finish off that red-ball block off well as a team.”

An ever-present last summer with 18 wickets to his name, Hull could also be set to make an impact when the T20 season rolls back around later this month.

“I learned a lot from the Blast last year,” he smiles. I want to carry on the way I performed and make sure I contribute again, whether that’s with the new ball, the middle phase, or at the death. We have a great side and we know we can do well as a team again.”

To watch Josh and his Leicestershire teammates in Vitality Blast action this summer, click HERE.