Willoughby signs for Essex

Former South Africa seamer Charl Willoughby has switched English counties to join Essex from Somerset on a two-year contract, it was announced Monday.

The 36-year-old left-armer was released by Somerset at the end of last season after a six-year stint with the south-west side.

“Essex made a concerted effort to come and meet me,” Willoughby told his new club’s website on Monday.

“Head coach Paul Grayson and myself had a long discussion and we discussed my aims and that of Essex. The plan now is for these to come to fruition.

Experience

“I obviously have a lot of experience in the game and Paul Grayson wants a wise old head to help David Masters with the bowling attack.

Essex have some promising youngsters coming through the ranks and I can certainly pass on some of my knowledge as a left-armer.

“The club is hoping to gain promotion to Division One and succeed in one-day cricket.

We hope together as a team that we can achieve these goals.”

Grayson added: “I’m delighted with the signing of Charl. He is a very experienced bowler and someone we wanted to add to our ranks alongside David Masters and Graham Napier.

Quality

“He is a quality left-arm bowler and we see him also helping Reece Topley and Tymal Mills in their development with his experience and knowledge of the game.

“He is a big signing for us because when it was announced that he was leaving Somerset there were four or five other counties who came in to try and sign him.”

LONDON, Tuesday, AFP