Powys cricketing ace McIlroy agrees new deal at Glamorgan

McIlroy, 28, joined the Welsh club in 2019 after impressing with Herefordshire in the Minor Counties Cricket, and made his first-class debut in April 2021, the opening day of the 2021 County Championship against Yorkshire at Headingley.

The left-arm seamer, who bats right-handed, endured a difficult start to life at Sofia Gardens as injury ruled him out of the entire 2020 summer season that had already been severely truncated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, he signed an extension that September 2020 and earned another contract in December last year, while in July he made his Twenty20 debut for the club in the T20 Blast. He also made his List A debut this year.

Wales National County v Glamorgan - One Day Tour Match - Jamie McIlroy celebrates with team mate David Lloyd of Glamorgan.

Now, he wants to secure a permanent spot in Glamorgan’s first team. “I am extremely grateful and excited to sign a new deal with the club that keeps me here for another two years,” said McIlroy.

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“I have had a taste of playing across all three formats and I am now hungrier than ever to kick on and secure a spot in the first team.”

The club has announced that five players in total have penned contract extensions with the club, while pathway product Tom Bevan has signed his first professional deal with the Welsh county.

Timm van der Gugten, Billy Root and McIlroy have all signed new two-year contracts, while Callum Taylor and Andy Gorvin have signed one-year deals.

Director of cricket, Mark Wallace, said: “Both Jamie and Andy did well when called upon this year and offer something a little different to other members of the bowling line-up.

“We look forward to seeing how they develop.”

McIlroy’s very first delivery in the professional game was against none other than England test captain Joe Root in Glamorgan’s clash with Yorkshire on the opening weekend of the 2021 LV= County Championship season last April.

McIlroy also took his maiden County Championship wicket in that fixture, admitting he had realised a childhood dream. His first professional scalp was Matt Fisher, McIlroy dismissing the No8 batsman for just six as the visitors bowled the hosts out for 193 at Headingley to take command of their encounter.

McIlroy recorded more than decent figures – taking the wicket of Fisher and conceding just 12 runs in his nine overs, including four maidens.