Leicestershire CCC is delighted to announce the signing of wicketkeeper-batter Ben Cox on a three-year contract. The 31-year-old joins on loan from Worcestershire for the remainder of the 2023 campaign, before making the permanent switch to Uptonsteel County Ground on 1 October.

Regarded as one of the finest wicketkeepers in the country, Cox has amassed 9,523 runs and more than 600 dismissals behind the stumps during his 15-year career with the Pears.

After making his debut as a 17-year-old A-level student during the 2009 season, Cox has gone on to score over 5,000 runs from 143 matches in first-class cricket, headlined by a career-best knock of 124 at Cheltenham in 2017.

The Stourbridge-born star has also proven to be a lethal operator in white-ball cricket, leading Worcestershire to their maiden Vitality Blast title in 2018 with player of the match performances in both the semi-final and final at Edgbaston.

Cox was an integral part of the Rapids’ white-ball campaigns this summer, featuring as an ever-present as Worcestershire reached the quarter-final stages in both the Metro Bank One Day Cup and Vitality Blast.

In total, Cox has accrued 1,803 runs at an average of 31.63 in List A cricket, whilst his 2,359 runs in T20 matches places him third behind Moeen Ali and Daryl Mitchell in Worcestershire’s all-time leading run-scorers’ charts.

Discussing the decision to move to Uptonsteel County Ground, Cox said: “My driving factor to join Leicestershire was the opportunity to contribute to the team in all three formats."

“Ever since meeting with Claude (Henderson) and Titch (James Taylor), I felt valued instantly and there’s no doubt that the journey Leicester are heading on is an exciting one."

“The side are already competing for silverware this season in the MB50 and one more win in the County Championship puts us alongside the promotion spots with a game in hand - it’s all very exciting."

“There’s still a lot to play for this summer and I can’t wait to get involved, get stuck in and give my all to the team as I always have done in my career so far.”

Director of Cricket, Claude Henderson, said: “We are extremely excited to welcome Ben to Leicestershire for the end of this campaign and the years to come."

“We see him as one of the best keepers in the country and an extremely effective player with the bat in all three formats. He will come with a wealth of experience, as well as a hunger and work ethic which will be hugely beneficial to the team.”