Durham County Cricket Club is delighted to announce that Ben Raine will return to the club at the end of the 2018 season.
The all-rounder, who left Durham for Leicestershire in 2013, has signed a three-year contract for all formats of the game, which will see him commit his future to Durham until the end of the 2021 season.
Despite being offered a contract extension from Leicestershire, Raine, who was born in Sunderland and made his First Class debut for Durham in 2011, decided to move back to the North East for personal reasons.
Raine has impressed with both bat and ball over the past few seasons and has scored 1922 First Class runs, including eight half-centuries and he has also taken 201 wickets.
The 26-year-old has also recorded 72 wickets in 67 white ball games and scored a prolific career best 113 from 46 balls in this year’s Vitality Blast.
But over the moon to be rejoining @DurhamCricket the club I’ve supported since a little boy, and help a quality team and fellas go after some trophies!
— Ben Raine (@BenRaine88) September 3, 2018
“I’m extremely grateful to Leicestershire and the opportunity they have given me and for their understanding in me wanting to move back to the North East,” Raine said.
“I’m delighted to be returning home and signing for Durham, I’m passionate about the region and determined to help the club compete for silverware again.”
Durham County Cricket Club, Head Coach, Jon Lewis, said: “Ben is a player who can help us compete in all formats with both bat and ball.
“He has opened the bowling in first-class cricket, bowled in the powerplay and at the death in the Vitality Blast and can bat in a number of positions.
“He’s proud to be from the North and he’ll fit well in our dressing room.”