Josh Boyden signs first rookie contract with Lancashire Cricket

Lancashire Cricket is delighted to announce that England U19 international Josh Boyden has signed his first rookie contract with the Red Rose.

The left-arm seamer is a product of Lancashire’s County Age Group pathway and joined the Academy at Emirates Old Trafford back in 2020.

Boyden was one of the stars of England U19s run to the World Cup final in the Caribbean earlier this year, finishing with 15 wickets, the most by an English player at the tournament.

18-year-old Boyden impressed with his ability to swing the white ball early on and would also regularly return at the end of an innings to showcase an impressive range of death bowling variations.

Born in Chorley, Boyden has played for Wigan Cricket Club in the Liverpool Premier League since 2021 after coming through the age groups at his local Euxton Cricket Club.

During the last two seasons, he has featured in Lancashire Cricket’s Second XI and was named in the First Team squad for the first time in June 2022, as he travelled with Lancashire Lightning ahead of their Vitality Blast match against Northants Steelbacks.

Speaking after signing his rookie contract with the Club, Josh Boyden said: “I am delighted to have been given this opportunity by Lancashire Cricket and cannot wait to get started on a full-time basis.

“This rookie contract is the culmination of years of hardwork but also the start of another journey for me, into making it as a professional cricketer with Lancashire.

“It was fantastic to be in and around the First Team squad earlier this summer and it has made me even more determined and hungry to keep working hard and eventually make my debut for the Red Rose.”

Director of Cricket Performance, Mark Chilton added: “I would like to congratulate Josh, his family and everybody who has been with him on his journey in cricket so far.

“Josh is one of the most exciting young bowlers in the country, as was showcased in his performances for England Under 19s at the World Cup which caught the attention of the nation.

“This rookie contract is a reward for all his efforts over many years, he has shown an excellent attitude to his development throughout his pathway journey, and hopefully this is the start of a long career with Lancashire.”