COUNTIES CRICKET Eckland's Gloucestershire opportunity
- Details
- Created on Tuesday, 21 July 2026 22:00
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 July 2026 06:16
- Published on Tuesday, 21 July 2026 22:00
- Written by PAUL BOLTON Cricket Correspondent
Eckland has signed a short-term contract with Gloucestershire - and Rizvi with Leicestershire - for the Metro Bank Cup.
Eckland was in the Dorset side that won the National Counties Trophy last season and has played for them since 2022.
The former England Under-19s international made 10 List A appearances for Hampshire between 2023 and 2024 but was released at the end of last season.
Eckland has been trialling with Gloucestershire’s Second XI in recent weeks where his performances have helped to secure him the short-term contract.
Rizvi joined Cambridgeshire this season having previously played National Counties cricket for Hertfordshire between 2021 and 2022.
He was recruited by Kent last season and played in six Metro Bank Cup matches and one Rothesay County Championship match against Lancashire in September.
Rizvi was released by Kent at the end of last season but his performances for Cambridgeshire in white ball cricket earlier this season have earned him another contract with a first-class county.
In addition to playing for Leicestershire’s Second XI, Rizvi has been trialling with Sussex and played for them in a Showcase match against Oxfordshire earlier this month.
Eckland and Rizvi are in line to face each other at Kibworth today as they have been included in their respective county squads for the 50 overs contest.
In addition to Eckland and Rizvi, Staffordshire seam bowler Jake Garlick has been signed by Warwickshire for the Metro Bank Cup and he made his debut for them in their defeat by Northamptonshire yesterday.
Garlick was previously on Warwickshire’s Academy but was released in 2024. He made his debut for Staffordshire in 2024 and his performances for his native county over the last three seasons stirred Warwickshire’s interest again.
Hampshire have also re-signed seamer Harry Petrie, who played one first-class match for them in 2022 between stints in National Counties cricket with Dorset in 2021 and Wiltshire in 2024. Petrie’s short-term contract is for the duration of the Metro Bank Cup.
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