Marcus Harris Returns To Leicestershire For Start Of 2024 Season

Leicestershire CCC is delighted to announce Australian international Marcus Harris will return to Uptonsteel County Ground for the start of the 2024 season.

The 31-year-old will feature alongside Victoria teammate Peter Handscomb during the opening five rounds of the County Championship, which begins away at Yorkshire on 5 April.

The signing follows the Club’s announcement earlier today stating Will Pucovski will no longer join Leicestershire after a decision was taken to allow the Australian batter to focus on recovering from his latest concussion setback.

Harris first represented the Foxes in 2021, with a highly successful season seeing the opener register 887 runs at an average of 55.44 across 12 appearances.

The left-hander made four centuries, including a match-winning 185 against Middlesex as Leicestershire chased 378 in a historic chase at Uptonsteel County Ground, while Harris topped the Club’s averages in both County Championship (54.58) and One Day Cup (58) cricket.

A prolific run-scorer, Harris has amassed more than 10,000 red-ball runs at a touch under 40 in his 158 first-class matches to date. He has posted 27 centuries, bested by a career-best 250 against New South Wales in 2018, which subsequently earned the Perth-born batter the first of his 14 Test caps.

Discussing his return to the Foxes, Harris said: “I’m incredibly excited to get back to Leicestershire and play for the Foxes again after an enjoyable summer a few seasons ago.

“I have fond memories of the playing group and the staff. With it still being a Covid year we spent a lot of time together, and I really valued the bonds I built with everyone associated with the Club. 

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent Leicestershire again. My goal is to win a few games for the team and have another memorable experience with a great group.”

Director of Cricket, Claude Henderson, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Marcus back to Leicestershire. He knows the Club, the players, and the staff well, and that’s a huge advantage to have at the start of the season.

“His track record both for Leicestershire and in first-class cricket speaks for itself, and his experience will be hugely beneficial to the squad on and off the field.”

Harris becomes the Foxes’ fifth winter addition, following the arrivals of Ben Cox, Liam Trevaskis, Scott Currie and Ben Mike at Uptonsteel County Ground.

To watch Harris, Handscomb and their Leicestershire teammates in action this summer, secure a 2024 Club Membership HERE.