All-rounder James Cronie returns home to Staffordshire

James Cronie has signed for Staffordshire County Cricket Club.

Staffordshire County Cricket Club have completed the signing of all-rounder James Cronie for the 2023 National Counties Cricket Association season.

The 19-year-old has transferred from Bedfordshire, but his Staffs move signals a return home for Cronie.

Cronie, who plays his club cricket for NSSCL Premier Division Checkley, was born in Staffs and attended Newcastle Under Lyme School.

He then embarked on a two-year scholarship at Stowe School and earned a place on the Northamptonshire Academy.

Northants’ link with Beds saw him play his NCCA cricket for the county.

However, he has now been released by Northamptonshire and has opted to make the switch back to Staffordshire.

He becomes the second Beds player to make the journey after batsman James Kettleborough – Cronie’s Checkley team-mate – signed and was installed as county captain.

New Staffs head coach Andy Carr says he’s delighted to be able to add Cronie, a right-handed batsman and off-spinner, to the squad.

“James has been at Northants pretty much since he left school. He’s been on their academy and played a lot of second-team cricket,” said Carr.

“He came to Checkley from Newcastle & Hartshill in 2020 and he’s a fantastic prospect. He’s been with the Young England Lions, and has ambitions to play first-class cricket.

“He’s just been released by Northants. We chatted to him about joining Staffs and coming to a more relaxed atmosphere where the pressure is not so vast. Hopefully he will flourish.”

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Pictured: All-rounder James Cronie has signed for Staffordshire.