Josh Little Brings Irish Talent to Middlesex
Josh Little, a name you’ve probably heard if you follow white-ball cricket, is getting ready to suit up for Middlesex in 2025. This is a big move for both the Dublin native and the historic English county side. Little, who is just 25, has already built a solid reputation for himself as Ireland’s left-arm fast bowler and will mainly target the Vitality Blast next season. But his contract leaves room for him to jump into other formats if the schedules and Cricket Ireland allow.
This isn’t the first time Middlesex turned to Irish cricket for talent—Tim Murtagh, another Irish standout, became a county stalwart after switching allegiance. Now, with Josh Little coming into the mix, expectations are climbing high, especially after watching Middlesex slide during the 2024 campaign.
Let’s talk stats for a second. Little has bagged 139 international wickets in the shorter formats, which is no small feat. He introduced himself in style back in 2019, taking 4/45 on debut against England. His best haul? An eye-popping 6/36 against Zimbabwe just last December. That sort of form gets you noticed. What’s more, Little is not someone who shies away from pressure situations. He’s bowled at the death, opened with the new ball, and has done so for club and franchise teams all over the world.
If you watched this year’s IPL, you likely spotted him suiting up for the Gujarat Titans. He’s also played for Manchester Originals and Welsh Fire in The Hundred, had stints in the Caribbean Premier League, Major League Cricket in the U.S., Lanka Premier League, SA20 in South Africa, and even the glitzy ILT20. The guy basically needs extra passport pages at this point.
Middlesex’s Overseas Strategy and What Little Adds
It’s not just about one man, though. Middlesex is clearly shaking things up. Alongside Josh Little, they’ve locked in Kane Williamson—the classy New Zealand batter—for both T20 and Championship matches. Dane Paterson from South Africa, a seasoned pro, is also coming over for the opening rounds. These moves aren’t random. Middlesex looks like they’re determined to fix what went wrong during their disappointing 2024 in the Vitality Blast, where their T20 performances just couldn’t keep up.
Little’s addition is strategic. He’s known for swinging the ball early in the innings but also doing damage late on when batsmen are looking to launch. Middlesex suffered in both areas last season, leaking runs up front and struggling to close out games. Little’s flexibility—his ability to bowl both with the new ball and at the death—addresses both weak spots.
But there’s a catch. Before Little can make his Middlesex debut, he needs Cricket Ireland to approve a No Objection Certificate. It’s standard for international players, but it means nothing is official until the paperwork clears. Still, Little has already shared how excited he is, saying he’s eager to perform for "one of the most prestigious cricket clubs in our game." No hiding the ambition there.
With Little in, Middlesex fans are hoping for more firepower and composure under pressure. It’s not just about one signature; this is part of a bigger shake-up that could change the club’s T20 future. After all, nothing gets cricket fans talking quite like a bowler who knows how to turn a match around in just a few overs.
