Joseph deal leads Leics activity

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Robbie Joseph "was selected for England Lions in 2009 and we hope that he can re-discover his form," said Leics chief executive Mike Siddall

Leicestershire have signed former Kent paceman Robbie Joseph on a short-term contract and completed new deals for Will Jefferson, Josh Cobb, Greg Smith and Alex Wyatt.

Joseph, who left Kent in November, has impressed Leicestershire’s coaches since joining on trial and has been rewarded with a contract until the end of May.

The Antiguan-born bowler, who turns 30 a week today, has taken 150 first-class wickets in 53 appearances with a best of 6-32 versus against Durham at the Emirates Durham ICG in 2008.

Leicestershire chief executive Mike Siddall said: "Robbie has shown a lot of promise since arriving at Grace Road. He was selected for England Lions in 2009 and we hope that he can re-discover his form under the watchful eye of bowling coach Lloyd Tennant."

Jefferson, Cobb, Smith and Wyatt’s contracts were due to expire at the end of this season but they have committed themselves to Grace Road until at least the end of the 2013 campaign.

Leicestershire 2011 player of the year Jefferson scored 1,007 first-class runs last term and his nerveless performance in a one-over eliminator during the Friends Life t20 semi-final with against Lancashire earned the Foxes a place in Champions League T20 qualifier.

Cobb took 4-22 in the final against Somerset as Leicestershire won the domestic t20 for an unprecedented third time. Smith and Wyatt showed plenty of promise in 2011, having come through Leicestershire's academy alongside Cobb.

Siddall added: "All four players will play another two seasons for us at least. That is something we are delighted about. And if we can get things moving in that period of time then, hopefully, they will all want to stay for longer."

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