Former Essex Cricket star Jaik Mickleburgh signs for Suffolk

Jaik Mickleburgh, pictured batting for Essex. He has signed for Copdock & Old Ipswichian for the new season. (Image: Copyright reserved)

Mickleburgh, from Bungay, has agreed to play for the Minor County, after failing to secure a contract elsewhere following his release from Essex at the end of last season.

The 26-year-old, who has ten first-class centuries and 21 half-centuries to his name, will add some much-needed experience to Suffolk's batting during their 2017 campaign.

Mickleburgh is aiming to attract the attentions of first-class counties by scoring heavily for Suffolk in the Unicorns Championship and Copdock & Old Ipswichian in the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League this season.

The Norwich-born batsman will be the club's 1st XI coach, and also coach some of the club's juniors as well as coaching at Ipswich School.

Mickleburgh, who was a member of last season's Essex squad that won promotion to Division One of the County Championship, said: 'It was disappointing to be released, but my performances were a little bit inconsistent which led to that happening.

'But we won the league which was a massive achievement and I wish the lads the best of luck in Division One this season.

'I held talks with a few counties, but no-one decided to sign me. I am still hungry to play first-class cricket and I am going back to playing club cricket for Copdock, who have been very good to me. I spoke to a few of the players there and also to Suffolk coach Andy Northcote about playing for Suffolk and it was a no-brainer for me.'

Mickleburgh, who represented Norfolk before joining the staff at Chelmsford and making his first-class debut in 2008, continued: 'I wasn't approached by Norfolk, where I grew up playing age group cricket and who were very good to me as they gave me a stepping stone into the first-class game.

'At this point in time Suffolk needed a pro and I am available and in the area so it suits both parties. I am very keen to get stuck in and perform to the best of my ability, and the three-day games give me an opportunity to score big runs, and Suffolk have a young side so it will be good to help the younger players develop as well.'

Factfile - Jaik Mickleburgh

Born: March 25, 1990

Birthplace: Norwich

Major teams: England Under-19s, Essex, Mid West Rhinos, Norfolk

First-class career: 101 matches, 175 innings, 4,978 runs, 243 highest score, 28.94 average

List A career: 21 matches, 17 innings, 403 runs, 73 highest score, 28.78 average

Twenty20 career: 17 matches, 12 innings, 159 runs, 47no highest score, 22.71 average