Danny Briggs joins Warwickshire from Sussex on three-year deal

Warwickshire have signed left-arm spinner Danny Briggs on a three-year deal.

Briggs, the highest wicket-taker in the history of England's domestic T20 competition, has been limited to a role as a white-ball bowler at Sussex in recent times but hopes to feature in all formats of the game for Warwickshire.

Although Briggs has not played a first-class game since June 2019, he previously became the youngest English spin bowler since Derek Underwood to 100 first-class wickets and will challenge for a place in a Warwickshire side learning to live without Jeetan Patel, who has retired.

But it is Briggs' white-ball experience that sticks out. Having featured in a Hampshire side that won three limited-overs trophies and made it to T20 Finals day for six years in succession, Briggs also represented England in seven T20Is and one ODI.

"For several years Danny has been widely recognised as one of the leading spinners in the county game and he is an excellent addition to our squad," Warwickshire's Sport Director, Paul Farbrace, said.

"Danny is vastly experienced across all three formats of the game and he knows what it takes to win trophies, having previously been part of teams that won both white-ball competitions. We look forward to welcoming him into the Bears squad when the training programme for the 2021 season gets underway in November."

Warwickshire will be the 29-year-old Briggs' third county. After breaking into the Hampshire first team in 2009 aged 18, he moved to Sussex at the start of 2016. Sussex had offered him a new contract and expressed their disappointment at his departure.

"I've had a great time at Hove over the last four years, but I'm delighted to make this move and join Warwickshire," Briggs said. "I like Paul Farbrace's exciting vision for the club, and it aligns with what I would like to achieve in the coming years.

"I'm looking to be part of all-format success and I haven't given up a strong desire to play at the highest levels again."

It is, perhaps worth noting Briggs' reference to "Farbrace's exciting vision." ESPNcricinfo understands Farbrace has recently decided to refresh the coaching set-up at Edgbaston and that some of the senior coaching staff are currently in dispute with the club over severance packages.

Keith Greenfield, the performance director at Sussex, said: "We are all disappointed that Danny will be leaving the club and not signing the multi-year contract extension that was offered to him in these challenging financial times for cricket and Sussex.

"We couldn't have done anymore in this respect. Danny feels at this time joining another county is in his best interests, and we have to respect his decision."

Sussex have also lost Laurie Evans to Surrey and decided not to offer Luke Wells a new contract.