The Yorkshire County Cricket Club is delighted to announce that Finlay Bean, Ben Cliff and George Hill have committed their futures to the Club.
Batting all-rounder Hill has signed a three-year extension keeping him at Headingley until at least October 2025. The 21-year-old right-hander has made a name for himself as an opener in First-Class cricket having notched up two County Championship hundreds so far this year, away at Northamptonshire and Hampshire. Hill bowls very handy seamers and has claimed 24 wickets in all formats so far in his career.
Fast bowler Ben Cliff has made an impact for the Second XI this summer and earned a call-up to the first team squad for the County Championship game against Surrey at Scarborough. Although he wasn’t selected, the former England Under 19s cricketer is clearly well thought of by the Club’s coaching staff and has penned a Rookie deal until October 2023.
Opening batter Bean has also signed a Rookie contract keeping him at Headingley until at least October 2023, having returned to the Yorkshire set-up on the back of some great performances for York in league cricket. The 20-year-old left-hander came through the age-groups at Yorkshire but left the Academy a couple of year ago. A return to play second team cricket saw him grab the headlines a couple of weeks ago, making a remarkable 441 against Nottinghamshire in a four-day encounter, and the Harrogate-born opener followed it up a week later with a half-century.
Yorkshire’s Interim Managing Director of Cricket Darren Gough said: “We are delighted that all three players have put pen to paper on contracts with the Club. They are very talented young players, and we see them as a major part of our future.
“George Hill has shown his quality this year opening the batting in the Championship and has probably exceeded many people’s expectations having already scored two hundreds. He’s got a great temperament, a brilliant attitude and is a multi-dimensional cricketer with his skilful seamers and fielding exploits. I expect he will continue to kick on in the coming years.
“Ben Cliff is a tall seamer who has shown what he is about this year in the second team. He’s got a yard of pace and I’m sure he will only get quicker. His selection in the first team squad for the last game was recognition for his performances so far and we are confident he will be challenging for a spot in the side consistently going forward.
“Finlay Bean’s return to the Club is well publicised on the back of his remarkable 441 for the seconds a few weeks ago. He is clearly a very talented batter and another who will be putting his name in the hat for first team selection in the not-too-distant future. He had shown some great form in club cricket this year which caught our eye, and obviously resulted in inviting him back into the setup to play with us. I guess it’s a good example to everyone that the door is never closed to cricketers out there in the recreational game and hopefully his journey will inspire others to follow in his footsteps.”
