Essex All-rounder Ben Allison to join Worcestershire CCC

Ben Allison has signed for Worcestershire on a permanent basis from the start of the 2025 season.

The 24-year-old bowling all-rounder has played a combined 54 matches in all formats for Essex since making his First Team debut in September 2020 against Sussex Sharks in the Vitality Blast.

A native of Colchester, he came through Essex’s Player Pathway and, other than short loan spells to Worcestershire and Gloucestershire where he made his first-class debut in 2019, he has spent his entire career with the Eagles.

Allison has taken 54 wickets for Essex, with a first-class innings best of 5/32, while as a lower-order batter, he has hit 513 runs with three red-ball fifties.

“Firstly, I would like to thank everyone at the Club for the fantastic memories.

“The decision to leave has been incredibly difficult. I've been with the Club since I was eight years old, and I love it here.

“But at the same time, I need to think about my career development, and right now, that means I need to be playing more cricket. While it’s a tough decision, I believe it’s the right one for my career.

“I am indebted to the many coaches I have worked with during my time at Essex and they have each played their part in my development so far. In particular, I owe a huge amount to Barry Hyam who has been instrumental in my career so far and has given me valuable support throughout my journey since under 9’s cricket.

“Lastly, I would like to thank the Members and supporters who have given me support whenever I have played. I grew up supporting the Club so to wear the shirt as a First Team player has been a huge honour.”

Essex Director of Cricket, Anthony McGrath, said: “We’re obviously disappointed to lose a player of Ben’s calibre, especially as he is also a great member of the dressing room, but we understand his reasons for wanting to explore a new challenge elsewhere.

“We are grateful for his efforts in an Essex shirt across all formats of the game, and we wish him the best of luck for the future.”