6 Oct 2014 | Cricket
Glamorgan Cricket are pleased to confirm highly promising 21 year-old opening batsman, James Kettleborough has signed a two-year contract with the Welsh county.
The right-hander made his first-class debut this season for Northamptonshire against the Sri Lankan tourists in June and subsequently appeared in eight matches in Division One of the LV=County Championship, scoring three half-centuries, including a career-best 73 against Middlesex at Lord's on his debut in the four-day competition.
James first played for Bedfordshire in 2009 in the Minor County Championship whilst he was still at Bedford School, where he went on to break Alastair Cook's batting record. He had previously been part of the Middlesex Academy with Toby Radford as Academy Director.
Kettleborough, who will wear shirt number 03, said, I'm really looking forward to joining up with my team mates in the Glamorgan dressing room. It's a big move for me from Northampton and a completely new challenge. Knowing Toby from the Middlesex Academy days helped a lot and that was instrumental in my move here, but also the chance to play at a Test ground most weeks is a great opportunity and one that I can't wait to begin.
In confirming the offer to Kettleborough, Hugh Morris, Glamorgan's Chief Executive and Director of Cricket said, At a time when we are re-building our squad, especially in four-day cricket, James' talent has impressed us. He has scored three half-centuries in the first division of the Championship to confirm that he is a young player of real potential, as testified by his outstanding record at Bedford School.
We believe that James, together with our highly promising crop of home-grown youngsters, can play a major part in the Club's development in the course of the next few years.
Glamorgan Head Coach Toby Radford added, We're pleased to bring James in to the Club. I've known him for a long time and watched his development. His performances against First Division bowlers last year shows the progress he has made and we believe he can add real value to us particularly in four-day cricket. I look forward to working with him again at Glamorgan.