Josh Blake signs two-year deal with Leicestershire

Leicestershire County Cricket Club is delighted to announce the signing of wicketkeeper-batter Josh Blake on a two-year deal.

Blake will join the Foxes ahead of the 2027 season after departing Surrey, where he has spent the entirety of his professional career to date.

The 28-year-old’s route into the professional game has been far from conventional. Having first represented Surrey at the age of nine, Blake dropped out of the county pathway at Under-15 level but continued to pursue his ambitions in the game.

He continued playing club cricket for Sutton CC in the Surrey Championship before spending the winters of 2017 and 2018 in Australia, where he played Sydney Shires cricket to further develop his game.

Alongside his playing commitments, Blake spent four years working as a community coach for the Surrey Cricket Foundation while continuing to perform for Sutton.

His performances eventually earned him an opportunity with Surrey’s Second XI in 2021, before he secured a professional contract and stepped into the First XI squad.

Speaking after agreeing his move to Uptonsteel Grace Road, Blake said:

“I’m really excited to be joining Leicestershire and starting a new chapter in my career. Surrey has been a huge part of my life, having first represented the Club at nine years old, so it was obviously a big decision for me to move on.

“After speaking with Claude and Alfonso, I was really impressed by the direction the Club is heading and the opportunity I’ll have here. I feel like this is the right place for me to keep developing my game, contribute to the team and hopefully achieve some special things in a Foxes shirt.

“I’m really looking forward to getting started, meeting the lads and playing in front of the Leicestershire supporters.”

Leicestershire Director of Cricket, Claude Henderson, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Josh to Leicestershire. He will bring valuable all-round skills
and strong character to the squad.”