Warwickshire have confirmed the signing of Michael Burgess from Sussex. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper has signed a two-year contract and will move to his new county on loan from June 1.
As revealed by ESPNcricinfo earlier this week, new Warwickshire director of sport, Paul Farbrace, had identified Burgess as a potential recruit amid concern about the strength of the Edgbaston playing staff.
Burgess averaged 30.61 in the Championship in 2018, and played every game as Sussex reached the semi-finals of the Vitality Blast. He might be viewed as the long-term replacement for Tim Ambrose, who also joined Warwickshire from Sussex in 2006.
“In addition to being an excellent, young gloveman, Michael is a hard-hitting batsman who has experienced domestic cricket on the biggest stage, having played for Sussex in last year’s Vitality Blast Finals Day,” Farbrace said.
“He boasts a very impressive strike rate in the T20 game and his ability to clear the ropes could be game-changing. He is a great addition to bolster our middle order going into this year’s Vitality Blast.
“Whilst we still have one of the best wicketkeepers in the country in Tim Ambrose, we believe that Michael can make an immediate impact in the white-ball game and, aged only 24, we have every confidence that he can enjoy a long and very successful career as a Bear.”
Burgess had enjoyed a couple of good seasons on the south coast, having impressed on trial after being released by Leicestershire.
“It’s a huge opportunity for me to become a Bear and to come to Edgbaston to play at one of the world’s great grounds,” Burgess said.
“There’s so much history behind this club, but it’s also tasted a lot of success in the last few years by winning every major trophy. The Warwickshire cricket management team were very clear with me about their ambitions to build a squad that can compete for more silverware and I’m very excited to have committed until at least the end of 2021.
“I would like to thank everyone at Sussex, including, the players, coaches and members for their great support over the last couple of years and I wish them all the very best for the future.”
Source: ESPN Crickinfo