Player Profile

Josh Boyden signed his maiden rookie professional contract with Lancashire in July 2022, just a few months after starring at the Under 19s World Cup for England.

In a tournament which saw the young bucks reach the final in the Caribbean at the start of the year, only to be beaten by India, Boyden claimed 15 wickets in six appearances with his left-arm pace.

The joint best haul at the tournament got tongues wagging as he returned back-to-back four-wicket hauls early on, including one against defending champions Bangladesh.

In 2023, now 20-year-old played his first first-team game for Lancashire in the One-Day Cup warm-up clash with Cumbria at Sedbergh in late July, claiming an impressive 3-32 from eight overs in a victory. 

In 2024, he will hope to add his competitive first-team debut. 

Boyden learnt his game at Euxton CC, on the outskirts of Chorley, and has since moved to play Liverpool Competition cricket down the road for Wigan.

His main attribute is his ability to swing the ball into the right-hander, though he is by no means short of pace. He is also keen to progress his skills with the bat, slotting in at number four in league cricket last summer.

He has progressed through the Lancashire age-groups and made his second-team debut in 2020. He has since played 24 times at that level with a best of 2-12.

He was educated at Parklands High School in Chorley - the same school ex-Red Rose captain Tom Smith attended - and was back doing his A-Levels at Runshaw College quickly after his Under 19s World Cup exploits.

Boyden was described as one of the most exciting young bowlers in the country” by director of cricket performance Mark Chilton upon being awarded his rookie contract.