Leus du Plooy joins Middlesex on a long-term contract

Du Plooy has averaged 98.10 in the County Championship this season, with 981 runs and three centuries. He only took over as captain last year, after Billy Godleman stepped down, and despite his form, Derbyshire are currently bottom of Division Two. In the Blast, they narrowly missed out on a place in the quarter-finals after a defeat in their last group game.

Born in South Africa but suitable as a non-overseas player due to a Hungarian passport and predetermined status in the UK, Du Plooy has built a prolific record across several formats, winning contracts in the Hundred with Welsh Fire and Southern Brave, as well as impressing in the SA20 for Joburg Super Kings.

“We are delighted that Leus has chosen to join Middlesex Cricket and are very excited about what he will bring to the group,” said Middlesex Cricket Director Alan Coleman. “Leus is a player we have admired for a long time and he will make an important difference to our squad in all forms of the game.

“The fact that Middlesex was one of many counties chasing his signature, with his contract with Derbyshire due to expire this year, is a testament not only to his ability as a cricketer, but also to him as an individual. We are so pleased he is going to Lord’s. He is the kind of player and person who will add so much to our dressing room.”

“The fact that he is Southern Brave’s most expensive domestic signing this year in the Hundred, in the top tier of players, shows what a world-class striker he is, and he will be a huge boost to both our T20 squad and our redball squad.

“We can’t wait to welcome Leus to Lord’s and look forward to a long and successful career at the club with him. He will play a huge part in everything we aim to achieve to progress here at Middlesex.”

In first-class cricket, du Plooy averages 47.17, with 18 hundreds. He has also scored over 2500 career runs in T20, with a strike rate of 133.50.

“I am incredibly honored and extremely excited to start this new chapter with Middlesex Cricket,” said du Plooy. “Lord’s is a special place to play, and it will be surreal to call it my home base next year.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone and building new relationships, creating special memories and improving my game at such a prestigious club.”