Durham Cricket can confirm that Michael Jones will leave Durham at the conclusion of the 2024 season to join Lancashire.
Jones has decided to return to his former county as he wishes to move closer to his hometown of Ormskirk.
An Academy graduate with Durham, Jones joined the Club in 2018, going onto a sign a senior academy contract at the conclusion of that summer, signing a rookie deal in 2019 and then penning his first professional deal with the club in 2021.
His first-class debut came in 2018 against Derbyshire and since then he has gone on to feature for the club in all three-formats, playing 89 times for Durham.
A Durham career high of 206 came against Middlesex in the 2022 County Championship, while Jones has gone onto score career highs for Durham of 119 in List A cricket and 86 in T20 cricket.
Since playing for Durham, Jones has gone onto to make his mark on the international arena playing in two World Cups, playing 22 times internationally for Scotland.
On his departure from Durham, Jones said: “I would like to thank Durham for the support and opportunity it has provided me over the last 7 years.
“The support shown by the coaching staff, management and players has been amazing.
“I would also like to thank the Durham supporters for always making me feel backed and welcome. During my time at the club, the North East has become somewhere I call home and somewhere I now know and love.
“I am extremely grateful for the memories I have made and people I have met along the way. Durham is a fantastic club and is full of amazing people which has made the decision to leave very difficult.
“To play my part in seeing the club regain Division One status is something I’m proud of and I am looking forward to watching the club continue to go from strength to strength in the years to come.
“I am sad to leave, Durham will always be very special to me, but I am also very excited to be joining Lancashire my boy hood club and look forward to what the future holds.”
Director of Cricket, Marcus North said: “It has been a pleasure to see Michael develop his game during his 7 seasons with us a professional and an academy cricketer.
“He has played his part in match winning performances for Durham over the years in all formats and contributed to our promotion back into Division One.
“Michael has decided to return home and seek further playing opportunities at Lancashire which is disappointing from a Durham perspective. We thank Jonesy for his commitment during his time with us and wish him success in his next chapter.”