James Benning signs for County

Leicestershire County Cricket Club confirmed today the signing of James Benning for the remainder of the 2009 and for the 2010 cricket season.

Benning, 26, has played 36 first-class games at Surrey, where his appearances in Championship cricket have been limited at a test match county with a big squad of cricketers. He has scored four first class hundreds and registered 1,642 runs at just under 32.

Leicestershire Chief Executive David Smith was delighted with the signing. He said: "We are delighted to have James on board. We are very mindful of the fact that the 2010 cricket season contains 16 Twenty20 games and twelve 40 or 50 matches and James’ record in both forms of the game is good.

"He has played over 127 one day games and he has three one-day hundreds with a top score of 189 not out. He also has a top score in Twenty20 cricket of 88. James also offers us a good bowling option in both four-day and one-day cricket.

Smith added that Benning will play in the pro-40 game against Middlesex at Lord's on Sunday, as well as confirming that James Allenby has signed a three year contract with Glamorgan County Cricket Club.

Allenby has initially joined the Dragons on loan for the remainder of the current cricket season. The all-rounder was allowed to leave the club following his decision not to sign a new three-year contract with the club within a pre-agreed deadline date.

Smith wished to ‘’thank the many members and supporters who had written and telephoned to support the clubs stance over Allenby’s contract deadline date’’.