Harris joins Leicestershire

Leicestershire have completed the signing of former Nottinghamshire medium-pacer AJ Harris.

Harris, 35, has signed a one-year deal at Grace Road and serves as a direct replacement for fellow seamer Ryan Cummins, who left for Northamptonshire this week.

Harris began his career at Derbyshire before moving to Notts in 2000.

He was released by Notts at the end of the season, having undertaken loan spells at Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

“We definitely felt that last season one or two bowlers ran out of steam towards the end of the year,” Leicestershire chief executive David Smith told the county’s official website.

“But we are also hoping that someone like Sam Cliff can build on his performances at the end of the season and AJ can help him to do that.

AJ Harris swats away Middlesex's attack while on loan at Worcestershire

“He will cover for the younger guys. I see him playing probably 12 championship games for us.”

Harris played six Second XI games for Nottinghamshire last season, and found it impossible to break into the first team due to the strong pace attack at Trent Bridge.

Charlie Shreck, Darren Pattinson, Mark Ealham, Paul Franks and Andre Adams constituted the first-choice seam attack, with Stuart Broad and Ryan Sidebottom waiting when released from England duty.

Harris was loaned to Gloucestershire for the Twenty20 Cup, where he took five wickets in three matches and played one LV County Championship match.

He returned to Trent Bridge before being loaned out again to Worcestershire towards the end of the season. He took eight wickets at an average of 22 in the NatWest Pro40, including 4-47 against Somerset Sabres. He also played two championship matches for Worcestershire.

“AJ hasn’t had a massive amount of cricket in the last two years but he is very keen to extend his career,” added Smith. “He has got a decent record, too, with more than 400 first-class wickets.

“He went on loan to Gloucestershire and Worcestershire last year and Worcestershire recommended him very highly. With Kabir Ali and Simon Jones, though, they were not in a position to offer him a contract.

“We know we have got a good performer who has stood the test of time and will do a good job for us in the short term while the younger boys come to the fore.”

Harris is Leicestershire's second pace signing of the winter, following the arrival of West Indian Lionel Baker.