Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Ben Mike have reached an agreement whereby he will be released from the club with immediate effect. 

The all-rounder only completed one year of his three-year contract at Headingley and has opted to make the switch back to former side Leicestershire. 

The departure comes as Mike has increased his focus on playing across all formats. 

Darren Gough, managing director of cricket at Yorkshire, said: “Everyone at Yorkshire CCC wants to express their gratitude for Ben Mike and wish him and his family the best of luck in this new stage. 

“Due to Ben not being able to break into the four-day side, he understandably wants to push on with his career and give himself the best chance to play all formats. 

“The competition for places at Yorkshire has been tough with a big squad and Ben sees this as the best move for him now.

“Ben is a very talented young cricketer, and we wish him well and we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge his dedication and impact during his time with Yorkshire.” 

Mike, aged 25, made 18 competitive first-team appearances for Yorkshire, all but two of them coming in limited overs cricket.

He played two LV= Insurance County Championship matches - making his debut for the club, while on loan from Leicestershire at the back end of 2022, against Surrey at the Oval and then his second four-day match was away at Leicestershire in September this year.

A seamer with extra pace and a hard-hitting lower order batter, his standout performance for Yorkshire was 4-40 in the thrilling one-wicket win over Surrey at York in August’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup.

Mike said: "It's been an honour to represent Yorkshire and I am very thankful for the opportunity to have played for this great club and want to thank everyone there.

"I am grateful for the fans' support during my time with Yorkshire and I wish the club all the best for an exciting 2024. However, I feel this decision is right for me.

"I’m grateful for the return to Leicestershire. It’s an exciting time for the Foxes and I’m looking forward to being back there and I’m ready to kick on with the squad."