Middlesex Cricket is today delighted to announce that John Simpson has been awarded a Testimonial Year in 2023 in recognition of his services to the Club.
Bury born left-handed wicket-keeper batsman Simpson, 34, joined Middlesex in 2008, having previously made Second Eleven appearances for both Lancashire and Nottinghamshire.
He made his debut appearance for the Club in May 2008, against Essex in the Second Eleven Championship, marking his very first game for the Club with a knock of 64 in the second innings to help Middlesex secure victory by 112 runs.
His professional debuts in all three formats came the following season, first in the T20 against Sussex at Lord’s in June 2009, next in the One-Day Cup against Kent in August, and then against Northamptonshire in the County Championship in September, when he mirrored his debut achievement in the Second Eleven, hitting a half-century on debut with a knock of 87.
Simpson has since made a total of 418 appearances for the Club in all formats, has amassed 12,383 runs, including ten centuries and 57 half-centuries, and has taken 713 dismissals behind the stumps.
Simpson’s record of 607 first-class victims sees only three other players ahead of him in the list of all time wicket-keeper dismissals for Middlesex.
He earned international recognition with his country in July 2021, when selected to play in all three of England’s One Day International matches in their home series against Pakistan.
Speaking of Simpson being awarded a Testimonial Year next year, Middlesex Cricket’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Cornish, said:
“Awarding a player with a Testimonial Year is a special thing. It’s due acknowledgement of the loyalty, attitude, and not least of all the performances that a player has given to the Club, and in John Simpson, you couldn’t wish for a more deserving recipient.
“John is a fantastic example of a model professional. His dedication to the game and his loyalty to Middlesex Cricket are qualities he has in abundance. All of us at the Club congratulate him on this award and are very much looking forward to supporting him wherever we can next year.”
Middlesex’s Director of Cricket, Alan Coleman, commented:
“It’s so pleasing to be able to reward Simmo with a Testimonial Year in 2023 and is something he richly deserves.
“Since joining the Club back in 2008 he has been one of our most consistent performers in each of the three formats, and as one of our senior playing group, is someone that our young cricketers look up to and take huge inspiration from.
“It’s a measure of John’s character and mindset that he continues to work so hard on improving his game, resulting in 2022 being his best with the bat since he joined the Club, passing 1,000 first-class runs for the first time in his career, whilst continuing to excel behind the stumps as one of the best glove-men in the country.
“Simmo continues to lead by example in the dressing room as one of the most popular members of our playing group, and I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone in wishing him every success in his special year.”
John Simpson himself commented:
“I am very grateful and honoured to have been awarded a Testimonial year in 2023.
“Middlesex has been my cricketing home for nearly 15 years, and I look forward to a special year, and opportunities to thank the many people who have supported me on my cricketing journey”.
John Simpson in action at Lord's against Glamorgan in September 2022 in the County Championship
