Full Name

Joshua Edward Poysden

Born

August 08, 1991, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex

Age

32y 234d

Batting Style

Left hand Bat

Bowling Style

Legbreak

Education

Cardinal Newman; ARU

Josh Poysden left Warwickshire for Yorkshire in 2018 in search of more opportunities, a move slightly compromised by the fact that a fellow legspinner, Adil Rashid, was involved in an emotional tug-of-war over whether he was interested in playing long-form cricket at county level. Poysden, who had won caps with England Lions, had never sealed a regular place in a county side. At 27, he had played only 11 first-class matches when Yorkshire became his third county.

Although originally playing club cricket as a wicketkeeper, Poysden was inspired to take-up leg-spin by watching Mushtaq Ahmed at Sussex. He soon impressed with his calm temperament and impressive control but saw his progress halted at his native Sussex - where he had represented the academy and second team - by the presence of Will Beer at the club.

While studying at Anglia Ruskin University, however, he represented Cambridge MCCU - he made his first-class debut in 2011 - and impressed sufficiently to win selection for the Unicorns. Although not a big turner of the ball, his control helped him win selection for the Unicorns team before earning a trial at Warwickshire in 2014.

Taking the opportunity offered by injury to other spinners at the club and a series of dry pitches, Poysden soon made himself a valuable member of the limited-overs squad and was offered a one-year deal for 2015. He played the majority of the club's T20 Blast games in 2015 and, while his Championship debut was chastening - he took 1-165 on a flat wicket that saw only 12 wickets fall in a four-day game - his T20 economy rate (he conceded 7.09 an over) was enough to win him a new two-year deal towards the end of the season.

Poysden also claimed a catch to dismiss Mitchell Starc off the bowling of Moeen Ali was fielding as a substitute during the third Investec Ashes Test at Edgbaston in 2015 and, while playing Grade cricket in Sydney with Gordon CC, took the wicket of Michael Clarke on his comeback from injury ahead of the World Cup. He returned to Sydney in 2015-16 to represent Northern District CC, the same club as Brad Haddin and Nathan Lyon.

Poysden's move to Yorkshire - initially on loan in 2018, then permanently - did not work out. He suffered a horrific injury in 2019, a fractured skull after he was hit on the side of the head while giving throwdowns to Dom Bess, and missed the second half of the Blast in 2020 as a close contact of the Covid-positive David Willey. First-team opportunities were few and far between and he opted to retire the following summer.

George Dobell

Josh Poysden Career Stats

Batting & Fielding

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6sCtSt
FC1414496479.6026536.220015020
List A321663510*3.506752.23002070
T20s33119139*6.5011118.18001080

Bowling

FormatMatInnsBallsRunsWktsBBIBBMAveEconSR4w5w10w
FC142215491084335/298/13332.844.1946.9120
List A323212811248303/333/3341.605.8442.7000
T20s3331598769264/514/5129.577.7123.0100

Photos of Josh Poysden

Josh Poysden had endured a frustrating season for Yorkshire
Josh Poysden, James Franklin, Charlotte Edwards and Graeme White at the season launch
Josh Poysden walks off after taking his maiden five-for
Legspinner Josh Poysden picked up three key wickets
Josh Poysden in action for Warwickshire
Substitute fielder Josh Poysden came on to the field