Hodd signs two-year contract with Yorkshire

By Graham Hardcastle

Yorkshire have completed the signing of Sussex wicketkeeper Andrew Hodd on a two-year contract after he has impressed during an ongoing loan spell at Headingley.

The 28-year-old will provide back up for England's Jonny Bairstow, whose unavailability for county duty is expected to increase during the coming seasons now that he is in England’s plans in all forms of the game.

Hodd could also travel to next month’s Champions League Twenty20 tournament in South Africa, with the White Rose seeking special dispensation from tournament organisers to name him in their 15-man party despite not being registered with Yorkshire during our domestic Friends Life t20 competition. If Hodd cannot make the trip, youngster Dan Hodgson will be Bairstow’s understudy.

In his first three LV= County Championship matches for Yorkshire, Hodd scored an important debut half-century against Derbyshire at Headingley last month as well as impressing with the gloves.

Hodd, formerly of Surrey and England Under 19s, said: “I was lucky enough to get some runs on my Yorkshire debut, I've kept pretty well, and I feel like I've been contributing. It's great that the club have backed me and signed me.

“I've loved being in the Yorkshire changing room, and the lads have been really good and welcoming towards me. The way that Jason Gillespie and Martyn Moxon have been talking with me has been really positive.

"I’m really looking forward to the challenges ahead with Yorkshire, but would also like to thank everyone at Sussex. I wish them all the best for the future, and hope our paths cross in Division One of the Championship next summer."

Yorkshire’s first-team coach Jason Gillespie added: “Andrew is one of the best keepers in the country, and you want the best players in your team. In the short time he's been with us he has taken some great catches, his energy behind the stumps has been first rate, he made some important runs for us against Derbyshire, and we've been delighted with his attitude.

“We've got no qualms about signing him because he's a great lad and a very good cricketer. When lads like that come along, you snap them up."

Both Yorkshire and Hampshire, meanwhile, have got to name their final 15-man squads for the Champions League by Monday.


Date: 06/09/2012 16:49:28 by Graham Hardcastle
In: Yorkshire | Today |