Benny Howell to leave Gloucestershire at the end of the season
1 August 2022
All-rounder Benny Howell will leave Gloucestershire when his contract expires at the end of the season after 10 years at the Club.
Since joining Gloucestershire in 2012, Benny, 33, has made 277 appearance across all competitions, scoring 6,701 runs and taking 312 wickets in the process. Among his highlights of a successful decade at Nevil Road is the role he played in the Glos side that defeated Surrey, in 2015, to win the Royal London One-Day Cup at Lord’s.
When he first broke into the side Benny featured heavily in Gloucestershire’s first-class team and, in 2013, he contributed nearly 600 runs and took 30 wickets in what was a breakthrough year for the then 24-year-old.
Despite having made 85 appearances, scored 3,284 runs and claimed 96 First-Class wickets between 2012 and 2019, Benny is best-known as a T20 specialist for Gloucestershire. The big-hitting batter and skillful bowler has scored 1,724 runs and claimed 142 wickets in 119 T20 matches for The Shire.
His best bowling performance in 20-over cricket game in the Vitality Blast in 2019, when he took 5-18 v Glamorgan at the Cheltenham Cricket Festival.
In this season’s Vitality Blast tournament, Benny made 13 appearances and finished with the second-best batting average at Gloucestershire, second only to Glenn Phillips. He also finished the campaign with The Shire’s best bowling economy rate, 6.93, and with 11 wickets.
Speaking about his time at Gloucestershire, Benny said: “Gloucestershire has been more than just a cricket club to me, it’s been a home. For that, I will be forever grateful.
“I have met many wonderful people at the Club, from the fans to everyone behind the scenes, the coaches and most of all, my teammates. They’re the guys I will miss the most. I have made friends for life and will always consider them family.
“Unfortunately, in life and in sport, nothing lasts forever. It has not been an easy decision for me, but I feel it has been a necessary one.
“I am deeply grateful to all the wonderful fans who have been the backbone of Gloucestershire Cricket and have shown such incredible support. I wish Gloucestershire every success in the future, and I have faith that the new management will do their absolute best to enable that.”
During his time in Bristol Benny has also contributed significantly in List A cricket. In 73 appearances he has scored 1,693 runs at an average of 33.86, and has taken 74 wickets at an average of at least one per innings.
His consistent good performances in a Gloucestershire shirt saw Benny rewarded with his first ever international call-up earlier this month, when he was selected to represent England Lions in an ODI v South Africa. On July 14 in Worcester, wearing an England shirt, Benny took 3-58 and scored 40 off 33 against the tourists.
Steve Snell, Performance Director at Gloucestershire Cricket, said: “Benny has been a terrific cricketer for Gloucestershire over the last 10 years. Not only has he been an exciting and entertaining player to watch, to an extent he has redefined the art of T20 medium-paced bowling and in some respects is a pioneer.
“Naturally we are disappointed he is leaving us, especially as we made an extremely competitive offer to try to keep Benny at Gloucestershire.
“I’d like to thank him for his magnificent contribution to Gloucestershire Cricket; he will be missed by everyone at the Seat Unique Stadium.”
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