Gloucestershire County Cricket Club has announced that promising all-rounder Ben Charlesworth will leave at the end of the 2026 season. After lengthy contract negotiations, the 25-year-old has decided to move on following the final County Championship match against Kent at Canterbury in late September.
Born in Oxford, Charlesworth made his first-class debut for Gloucestershire at just 17 years old against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. Since then, he has notched four centuries, including an impressive career-best 210 runs against Leicestershire in August 2024.
A former England Under-19s captain, Charlesworth played a vital role in Gloucestershire’s triumphant 2024 Vitality Blast campaign. Featuring in all 17 matches, he amassed 221 runs batting in the lower middle order, helping the club secure their first trophy since 2015.
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Last summer, Charlesworth amassed 914 runs with a top score of 160 against Lancashire at Cheltenham College and maintained an average just under 40. Additionally, he returned to bowling following a shoulder injury, taking 16 wickets at an average below 27.
Jon Lewis, Gloucestershire’s Director of Cricket, commented: “Ben will be leaving us in September, but he remains fully committed to Gloucestershire and playing a key role this summer. He is a homegrown talent from our pathway system, something we are extremely proud of. Despite multiple discussions and a strong offer to extend his stay, he has chosen to pursue new opportunities elsewhere.”
Lewis added, “Knowing this now allows us to focus on the upcoming season with clarity and plan effectively for 2027 and beyond. Replacing Ben will be challenging, but we will be proactive in strengthening the squad.”
Charlesworth is expected to feature in head coach Mark Alleyne’s squad for the season opener against Middlesex at Lord’s on Friday. Alleyne praised Charlesworth’s abilities, saying, “He has shown he can score big runs at the top of the order and is fully fit to bowl again. His bowling adds valuable support to our attack, so the contribution he made last year and before will be crucial.”