Image Credit- Worcestershire CC
In order to bolster their white-ball teams for 2024,
Worcestershire has added Josh Cobb. Additionally, they have given 28-year-old
fast bowler Yadvinder Singh his first professional deal; Singh will play for
Worcestershire initially as an overseas player.
Cobb, 33, was abruptly stripped of his T20 captaincy
and excluded from Northamptonshire’s first team during the latter half of the
previous season, leading to his early release from his contract. He agreed to a
one-year contract that includes coverage of the Metro Bank Cup and the Vitality
Blast.
“I am thrilled to be joining Worcestershire for
2024,” Cobb said. “The club has always been a well-drilled white-ball
unit, and I hope to bring my A-game to New Road and assist in challenging for
trophies. I would like to thank Ashley Giles for giving me this fresh
opportunity to once again do what I love – play exciting cricket and win
trophies.”
Giles, the club’s chief executive, said: “Josh’s
experience and skills align perfectly with our plans for the upcoming season.
He’s a highly experienced white-ball cricketer, who’s tasted regular success.
He will fit into the dressing room well, and will really add to the
group.”
After placing third in the group stage and losing
badly to Hampshire in their opening knockout match, Worcestershire advanced to
the Blast quarterfinals the previous year. They have signed Nathan Smith from
New Zealand for all forms and re-signed Pakistani legspinner Usama Mir for the
competition in 2019.
Fast bowler Singh, who was born in Rajasthan, also
agreed to a professional contract after trying out for several other teams.
After middle-order batsman Kashif Ali, he is the most recent South Asian
Cricket Academy (SACA) alum to sign a contract with a county, becoming the
second to do so with Worcestershire.
“I’m really pleased that Worcestershire are
showing this trust in me by giving me a contract,” he said. “I’ve
been trialling around for several years with different counties, playing
seconds cricket and club cricket in between going back home to India. But I
never gave up hope.
“Since I can remember, I always had a dream that
I wanted to be a professional cricketer. There was no Plan B. I knew in myself
that I could do this, that I could play and now I’ve got to try and make the
most of this opportunity. I just kept believing in myself and signing that
contract was one of the best days of my life.”
Giles said: “We are thrilled to have Yadvinder
Singh join us. His path to professional cricket is truly inspiring. Yadvinder’s
skills and unwavering dedication are in perfect alignment with our mission of
embracing diverse talents. He is undoubtedly a valuable addition to our
squad.”