Leicestershire lose Maddy
Darren Maddy © Getty Images
Former England batsman Darren Maddy has left Leicestershire to sign for Warwickshire.
The 32-year-old, who played three Tests and eight one-day internationals, claims he is keen for a “fresh start” after spending 14 seasons at Grace Road.
He scored more than 10,000 first-class runs at an average of 32 for the county with whom he has been associated for almost a quarter of a century.
Maddy turned down the offer of a new two-year contract at Leicestershire and was reported to be attracting interest from county champions Sussex.
He said: “This has been the hardest decision of my life but, after many sleepless nights and long discussions with family and friends, I felt it was the right time to seek a fresh start in my cricket career.
“My heart will, however, always be at Leicestershire, where I first started being coached at eight years of age.
Maddy played a key role in Leics' Twenty20 Cup success
“I am proud of my successes at Grace Road but, in being honest with myself, I decided that this was the time to challenge myself and seek to maximise my potential because I still feel there is a lot I can achieve.”
Maddy played a key part in Leicestershire’s County Championship triumphs in 1996 and 1998, although he became increasingly synonomous with their recent Twenty20 Cup success, winning the trophy twice in the last three years.
This summer he became the first batsman to score 1,000 runs in the competition, passing the four-figure mark during a man-of-the-match performance in the final against Nottinghamshire.
Leicestershire chairman Neil Davidson said: “Naturally, we are disappointed to lose Darren given his long association with the club.
“He was at the forefront of our two Championship wins in the nineties and our more recent successes in the Twenty20 Cup.
“We offered Darren a new two-year contract, on competitive terms, after his successful benefit year.
“There was no contractual disagreement but Darren says that he feels the need for a change as he enters the final phase of his career, which we understand and respect.
Maddy on tour in South Africa during his brief England career
“Darren has been very loyal to Leicestershire and will always be welcome at Grace Road.”
Senior coach Tim Boon admitted Maddy’s performances in four-day cricket had fallen away in recent seasons.
“I have known Darren for a long time,” Boon said. “I did not want to see him leave but in recent years he has become something of an enigma - at times brilliant in the one day game, particularly Twenty20, but he has struggled to maintain his place in the championship side.
“I am determined to establish a principle at the club that top earning senior players must perform in all forms of the game.
“The silver lining to Darren's departure is that it will give our promising younger players potentially more opportunities to build on our successful end to last season.
“I will not be rushing to sign a direct replacement.”
Maddy added: “I cannot speak highly enough of Tim Boon, who first coached me when I was 10 years old and worked very hard with me on my game last season, and of the club who have always treated me well.”
Maddy is expected to complete his move to Edgbaston later this week. He will fill the gap created by Nick Knight’s retirement at the end of the season.
