Housego Pens Long-Term Gloucestershire Deal

25 January 2012

Dan Housego could be a pivotal player for Gloucestershire in 2012.

©Action Images / Andrew Couldridge

Gloucestershire have signed former Middlesex top-order batsman Dan Housego on a three-year contract.

The 23-year-old was a member of Gloucestershire's Academy before moving to Lord's, and played for their Second XI against Denmark as long ago as in 2003. He has also played Minor Counties cricket for his native Berkshire and for various clubs in the Home Counties and Middlesex ECB Premier Leagues.

During his time with Middlesex, the right-hander represented the club’s under-17s, second XI and Twenty20 sides, as well as featuring in 15 first-class matches spread over the space of four seasons.

Ironically, 2011 was his most prolific season and included a career-best score of 104 against the touring Sri Lankans in May. Unfortunately, his Championship form was not quite as consistent, and, after poor matches against Essex and Kent, and increasing competition from other batsmen, he was dropped from their first team prior to being released at the end of the season.

Undeterred, he went back to second XI cricket and finished the season as the leading run-scorer in the country, which appears to have been enough to move Gloucestershire coach John Bracewell to offer him a long-term contract.

Bracewell said, "Dan has been one of the best, if not the best, top-order batsmen in second XI cricket and we are delighted that he joins us, in particular, to fill the difficult number three position where I am confident he is ready for consistent first team cricket."

Gloucestershire have been rocked in recent times by having planning permission for ground redevelopment turned down – a decision that has made an already perilous financial situation even more so. With that in mind, it seems unlikely that the club will employ an overseas player, at least in Championship cricket, next season, meaning that there will be more opportunities for players such as Housego.

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