Wicketkeeper Harry Duke has joined Essex on a two-week loan deal from Yorkshire ahead of the Vitality County Championship matches away to Durham and Somerset.
Duke, 22, has made the temporary switch from Yorkshire, who he has represented in all formats since his debut in 2021.
A specialist gloveman, he has 73 catches and four stumpings across 44 matches in red- and white-ball cricket for the Headingley side.
Duke has also struck five half-centuries and two hundreds in all formats, totalling more than 1,100 runs, and in January 2020 was included in England’s Under-19 World Cup squad.
Pictured, Harry Duke attempts to run out Hampshire’s Tom Prest during the Metro Bank One-Day Cup when Yorkshire Vikings took on Hampshire County Cricket Club at York last season.
Ottis Gibson, Head Coach for Yorkshire County Cricket Club, said: “Everyone at Yorkshire wishes him the best of luck. We have lots of talented players at YCCC and it’s a great opportunity for Harry and it’s good for the Club.
“Harry is a very talented young cricketer and has a big future ahead of him. This is a great loan move for him. It’s a great chance to play first-class cricket and I know the experience he gets at Essex will really prepare him well for coming back to Yorkshire.”
Duke joins Essex alongside existing wicketkeepers Michael Pepper and Adam Rossington both currently receiving treatment for finger injuries.
Meanwhile, Jordan Cox is currently unable to keep wicket following his rehabilitation from a finger injury sustained during The Hundred last season.
Duke will wear the number 2 shirt during his time with Essex.
Essex Head Coach, Anthony McGrath, said: “We’re really happy to have added quality to the squad with the signing of Harry.
“Obviously, the situation with injuries to our wicketkeepers is unfortunate and not what any of us would have wanted, but it’s about how you adapt and overcome challenges like this.
“By signing Harry, we’ve brought in a young, talented cricketer who possesses the ability to play at the top level, and we’re all looking forward to seeing him in an Essex shirt.”
