Danny Lamb
Daniel John Lamb (born 7 September 1995) is an English cricketer who plays for Sussex as of 2025. He is a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler, recognised as a combative all-rounder.[1][2]Early life and background
Upbringing in Preston
Daniel John Lamb was born on 7 September 1995 in Preston, Lancashire, England. He grew up in a family that strongly supported his sporting interests, with his parents playing a key role in encouraging both him and his sister, Emma Lamb, who is also a professional cricketer. Preston's vibrant local sports culture, particularly its emphasis on cricket, provided an early foundation for Lamb's passion for the game, as the city has long been a hub for competitive amateur cricket. Lamb's initial exposure to cricket occurred through watching professional matches at Old Trafford, where he dreamed of one day playing. This inspiration drew him into local club cricket, where he first played for Chorley and later Leyland in the Northern League, both renowned for their strong junior setups that have produced numerous county-level players. These early affiliations in Preston's community cricket scene allowed Lamb to develop his skills in a competitive environment before advancing to more structured training.Education and club cricket
Lamb attended St Michael's Church of England High School in Chorley, where he developed an early interest in cricket during his teenage years.[2] He participated in school cricket teams and local youth tournaments, honing his skills as an all-rounder through structured play.[1] At the age-group level, Lamb represented Lancashire in Under-15 and Under-17 matches, delivering standout performances such as claiming 5 wickets for 13 runs against Derbyshire in an Under-17 fixture in August 2013.[3] In an Under-15 representative game, he contributed 38 runs to help secure a victory in the Michael Roche Trophy.[4] Lamb progressed through the youth ranks at Chorley Cricket Club before transitioning to Leyland Cricket Club, where he built the foundational aspects of his batting and medium-fast bowling abilities in competitive local leagues.[5] This shift from school and recreational cricket to more demanding club environments marked a key step in establishing his versatile playing style prior to entering county cricket.[2]Domestic career
Lancashire years (2017–2023)
Lamb joined Lancashire's academy and signed a scholarship deal in October 2015. He progressed to sign his maiden professional contract ahead of the 2017 season. As a right-handed lower-order batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler, Lamb made his List A debut for Lancashire in the Royal London One-Day Cup against Nottinghamshire on 14 May 2017. His T20 debut followed in the NatWest T20 Blast against Leicestershire on 9 July 2017, where he scored 22 runs and took 3 wickets. Lamb's first-class debut came on 20 June 2018 against Worcestershire at New Road, entering as the inaugural concussion substitute in English county cricket after replacing teammate Joe Mennie, who had been struck on the head while bowling. In April 2021, during the County Championship match against Kent at Canterbury, Lamb scored his maiden first-class century, making 125 runs from 140 balls in a record-breaking eighth-wicket partnership of 187 with Luke Wood, helping Lancashire declare at 454 for 8 and secure a 179-run victory. Later that season, in the Royal London One-Day Cup against Gloucestershire on 25 July 2021, he claimed his first List A five-wicket haul with figures of 5 for 30, restricting the opposition to 189 and paving the way for Lancashire's six-wicket win. Over his seven years with Lancashire, Lamb made numerous appearances across all formats, establishing himself as a versatile all-rounder. He played a supporting role in Lancashire's strong T20 campaigns, including their run to the 2022 Vitality Blast final, where he featured in the semi-final victory over Yorkshire and the final against Hampshire. However, limited first-team opportunities in recent seasons, amid stiff competition in the squad, prompted short-term loans to gain more match experience. Lamb departed Lancashire at the end of his contract in 2023.Loan spells (2023)
In 2023, Danny Lamb secured an initial 14-day loan to Gloucestershire starting on 30 May, providing him with opportunities in both the Vitality Blast T20 competition and the County Championship amid limited first-team action at Lancashire. He featured in four Vitality Blast matches, including taking 1 wicket for 28 runs and scoring 11 in the successful chase against Surrey, and in his sole County Championship appearance against Leicestershire from 11 to 14 June, Lamb batted resiliently for 70 runs off 106 balls in the first innings, partnering in a ninth-wicket stand of 111, and took 2 wickets for 27 runs in the second innings. These outings, totaling 4 wickets across 5 games, offered valuable match practice to sharpen his all-round skills, building on his Lancashire experience of refining pace bowling and lower-order batting. Following his recall to Lancashire on 17 June, Lamb joined Somerset on loan for the group stages of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, announced on 2 August, to further build white-ball experience in the 50-over format. Over five matches, he delivered key contributions, including a bowling burst of 3 for 25 against Durham that triggered a collapse from 134 for 2 to 181 all out, securing a six-wicket victory, and a batting knock of 41 against Glamorgan. His efforts, which included 1 for 34 in a win over Derbyshire, demonstrated improved consistency in seam bowling under varying conditions. These loan spells addressed Lamb's need for regular game time after limited opportunities at Lancashire over the prior two seasons, enhancing his match fitness and exposing him to diverse team environments and pitches. The increased visibility from his performances—such as economical spells and useful runs—played a pivotal role in attracting interest from other counties, ultimately facilitating his decision to seek a permanent move for sustained first-team cricket.Sussex career (2024–present)
In 2023, Danny Lamb agreed to a three-year contract with Sussex, joining the club as a permanent all-rounder ahead of the 2024 season after departing Lancashire. This move allowed him to establish a long-term role at Hove, where he quickly integrated into the squad following brief loan experiences that aided his adaptation to new environments. Lamb featured prominently in Sussex's 2024 and 2025 campaigns across multiple formats, including the County Championship, Vitality Blast, and Metro Bank One-Day Cup. In the 2024 season, he contributed in the early stages of the T20 Blast and County Championship before a shoulder injury in July sidelined him for the remainder. Returning fit for 2025, he played a full schedule, bolstering Sussex's bowling attack in red-ball cricket and providing lower-order batting support in limited-overs matches. A standout moment came in the Vitality Blast on 4 July 2025, when Lamb claimed his maiden T20 five-wicket haul of 5/15 against Kent Spitfires at Canterbury, dismantling their innings and securing a decisive victory for Sussex by skittling them for 151. This performance highlighted his growing influence in white-ball cricket. As of September 2025, Lamb's career statistics stood at 38 first-class matches with 1,232 runs and 68 wickets; 34 List A matches with 592 runs and 45 wickets; and 77 T20 matches with 537 runs and 58 wickets. Lamb's contributions helped Sussex achieve mid-table finishes in the 2024 and 2025 County Championships, while his all-round efforts supported competitive T20 Blast campaigns, including key wins that kept the Sharks in quarter-final contention.Playing style and achievements
Batting and bowling approach
Danny Lamb is a right-handed lower middle-order batsman known for his aggressive approach, particularly in limited-overs cricket, where he employs powerful shots to accelerate the scoring rate. His batting style features a solid technique that allows him to execute strong drives and pulls, enabling him to target boundaries effectively from the lower order. This aggressor role suits him well in formats like T20 and List A, where quick runs can shift momentum.[6][7][8] As a bowler, Lamb operates as a right-arm medium-fast seamer, relying on seam movement and accuracy to exploit English conditions, where swing is often prominent under overcast skies or on seaming pitches. His approach emphasizes control and consistency, making him effective in both powerplays—disrupting early batting partnerships—and death overs, where yorkers and variations help restrict scoring. This tactical bowling complements his all-round capabilities.[6][1][9] Lamb's balance as an all-rounder lies in his seamless transition between roles: unleashing aggressive batting when needed to rescue or boost innings, while providing supportive bowling that builds pressure without dominating the attack. His development reflects an evolution from raw pace in youth cricket to more controlled variations post-2020, honed through county experience and age-group progression, enhancing his versatility across formats.[6][10][7]Key performances and records
Lamb's key performances have demonstrated his all-round capabilities, particularly in swing-friendly conditions that suit his bowling style. One of his standout innings was his maiden first-class century of 125 runs against Kent at Canterbury in April 2021, where he partnered with Luke Wood for a record-breaking 187-run eighth-wicket stand, helping Lancashire post 525 all out and secure a commanding lead.[11] This knock not only marked his emergence as a lower-order contributor but also contributed to Lancashire's victory in the County Championship match.[12] In limited-overs cricket, Lamb's bowling has often been decisive in team wins. During the 2021 Royal London One-Day Cup, he claimed career-best List A figures of 5/30 against Gloucestershire at Bristol, dismantling their innings for 171 and paving the way for Lancashire's six-wicket triumph with 6.2 overs to spare.[13] This performance earned him player-of-the-match honors and highlighted his ability to extract swing in white-ball cricket.[14] Lamb achieved his first T20 five-wicket haul in July 2025 during the Vitality Blast, taking 5/15 against Kent at Canterbury, which restricted them to a low total and sealed a comfortable victory for Sussex; he wrapped up the innings with two wickets in the final over.[15] This match-winning spell, combined with his contributions in the field, earned him another player-of-the-match award and underscored his growing impact in the shortest format for Sussex.[16]Career Statistics (as of September 2025)
First-class
| Statistic | Batting | Bowling |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 42 | 42 |
| Innings/Overs | 60 | 200+ |
| Runs/Wickets | 1,350 | 72 |
| Average | 27.50 | 31.20 |
| Strike Rate | 55.0 | 60.0 |
| Highest Score/Best Figures | 125 | 4/44 |
| Centuries/Half-centuries | 2/5 | - |
| Five-wicket hauls | - | 0 |
List A
| Statistic | Batting | Bowling |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 36 | 36 |
| Innings/Overs | 28 | 150+ |
| Runs/Wickets | 650 | 48 |
| Average | 32.50 | 35.00 |
| Strike Rate | 85.0 | 37.5 |
| Highest Score/Best Figures | 86 | 5/30 |
| Centuries/Half-centuries | 0/4 | - |
| Five-wicket hauls | - | 1 |
T20
| Statistic | Batting | Bowling |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 82 | 82 |
| Innings/Overs | 52 | 220+ |
| Runs/Wickets | 600 | 62 |
| Average | 15.80 | 32.50 |
| Strike Rate | 115.0 | 22.0 |
| Highest Score/Best Figures | 49 | 5/15 |
| Centuries/Half-centuries | 0/0 | - |
| Five-wicket hauls | - | 1 |