The Yorkshire County Cricket Club are delighted to announce the signing of three more talented youngsters on rookie professional men’s contracts ahead of 2026.
Jay Singh, Owen Smith and Charlie H Taylor have put pen to paper on their maiden pro deals, following hot on the heels of Will Bennison and Matthew Firbank.
Bennison and Firbank signed on in August and made their first-team debuts in a Metro Bank One-Day Cup victory over Kent at Canterbury.
Matthew Firbank of England celebrates dismissing Azizul Hakim Tamim of Bangladesh during the 1st Youth One Day International (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Will Bennison of England with his first cap ahead of the 1st Youth One Day International between England U19 and Bangladesh U19 (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Singh is an 18-year-old right-arm fast bowler, likewise 19-year-old Taylor. Smith, aged 18, is predominantly a right-handed batter but one who can also keep wicket.
The trio are elevated from Academy status and were part of the team which reached the Under 18s County Cup final earlier this month and have impressed in second-team cricket.
Sheffield-born Singh plays his league cricket at Hallam CC, Taylor is from Huddersfield and plays at Honley. Rotherham’s Smith plays at Barnsley Woolley Miners.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – Yorkshire County Cricket Club Academy & EPP Media Day 2025 – Jay Singh.
Singh and Smith have both been part of the England Young Lions programme this summer, and all three are heading to Australia this winter to further their development with some club cricket.
Yorkshire’s second-team coach Tom Smith said: “This is a massive thing for the three of them. Any young player signing a professional contract is a big stepping stone in their careers.
“It’s something they’ve all worked very hard for, and the club are delighted to be able to give them a chance to progress even further.”
Smith continued: “Jay can swing it at good pace and has got very good white-ball skills. At 18, he’s got the potential and all the ingredients to be a very good fast bowler.
“Charlie is a very good all-rounder.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – Yorkshire County Cricket Club Academy & EPP Media Day 2025 – Charlie H Taylor.
“The likes of Jay and Matty Firbank are both 6’5, whereas Charlie isn’t quite as tall. He’s still comfortably six foot, but not as tall as those two. He’s more line and length, good skill.
“He’s got good white-ball skills and is very talented with the bat.
“Owen is a good young batter who can also keep wicket.
“He’s a very good ball striker – a big, strong lad who can clear the ropes in white-ball cricket but is very adept with the red-ball side of his game as well.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – Yorkshire County Cricket Club Academy & EPP Media Day 2025 – Owen Smith.
“All three of them have put in some good, impressive performances in the second team, and we’re excited to see more of that next season and beyond.”
Head of the Performance Pathway, James Martin said: “The way in which these three boys have approached their cricket throughout their time in the Pathway has been a pleasure. I wish them all the best for firstly their time out in Australia, and secondly their return to Yorkshire in 2026.
“I would like to touch upon the hard work and influence that Muhamad Azharullah has had on this outstanding batch of young fast bowlers.
“I would like to say a huge thank-you to all their support networks that have assisted them as part of their journeys.”
