Foxes Move Fast to Fill the Gloves
Leicestershire haven't wasted any time in the transfer market. Just 24 hours after the confirmed departure of experienced gloveman Ben Cox, the Foxes have announced the signing of Josh Blake from Surrey on a two-year deal. It's a decisive piece of business that signals Leicestershire's intent to rebuild, even as the county continues to contest a points deduction that has left their Division One status hanging in the balance pending an appeal.
For those keeping an eye on the County Championship outright markets, Leicestershire's ability to recruit during a period of uncertainty will be a key factor in how bookmakers assess their prospects heading into the new season. Shoring up the wicketkeeping position so promptly is an encouraging sign for any punter considering a speculative flutter on the Foxes.
A Long Road to Professional Cricket
Blake's journey to this point has been anything but straightforward, and that's precisely why I find this signing so interesting from a character standpoint. The 28-year-old first walked through the gates at The Oval as a nine-year-old, eventually spending four years on the professional staff at Surrey. But the path to earning that contract was a grind — he spent years working as a community coach at the club while continuing to push for his opportunity at the highest level.
To keep himself sharp and competitive during those lean years, Blake turned out in the Surrey Championship and even ventured out to Australia to play in the Sydney Shires competition. That kind of self-motivated approach to development tells you a great deal about a cricketer's mentality, and it's exactly the sort of resilience Leicestershire will need if they are to fight their way back up the divisional ladder.
County Championship Record Shows Genuine Promise
Blake finally broke into Surrey's County Championship side in 2024, making eight appearances and accumulating 263 runs at an average of 29.22. While that sample size is modest, averaging close to 30 in your debut Championship season as a wicketkeeper-batter is a solid foundation to build from. His List A debut came back in 2022, the same year he landed his first professional deal, so he has been steadily adding strings to his bow.
From a coaching perspective, what I'd want to see now is whether Blake can push that batting average into the mid-thirties at Division Two level. If he can contribute meaningfully with the bat whilst maintaining tidy work behind the stumps, Leicestershire will have unearthed a genuine gem at a crucial moment.
A Fresh Start for Blake and the Foxes Alike
Blake himself has acknowledged the weight of the move, describing the decision to leave Surrey — a club he has been connected to for nearly two decades — as significant, whilst framing Leicestershire as an exciting new chapter in his career. That kind of honest self-awareness is refreshing, and it suggests he is under no illusions about the challenge ahead.
Whether Leicestershire ultimately retain their top-flight status or begin a rebuilding project in Division Two, having a young, hungry wicketkeeper committed on a two-year deal gives the club a genuine platform. For Blake, this is the opportunity he has worked his entire career to earn. On the evidence of his dedication and resilience, I wouldn't bet against him making the most of it.
