Kane Richardson, an Australian seamer who will be available for the entire T20 Blast season, will play county cricket for the first time in 2023 after striking a deal with Kent.
Richardson, an experienced member of Australia’s white-ball teams and a specialist in death overs, participated in English domestic cricket for the first time last summer, taking 13 wickets for Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred.
He participated in the competition in previous seasons but has not signed up for the upcoming IPL auction, therefore he will be available for the entire Blast, including the knockout stages.
Read More: Watch Bangladesh vs India 1st Test Live
Kent won the Blast in 2021, but they had a terrible time defending their crown the following summer, winning only three of their 14 games during the group stage.
Matt Milnes, a crucial component of their T20 assault, was lost to Yorkshire this winter, but they have since signed experienced Michael Hogan from Glamorgan and announced the signing of Richardson on Monday.
Kent has a strong T20 history, and Richardson said he was looking forward to the challenge of playing in the Vitality Blast for the first time. I am aware that the club has won the last two English white-ball championships, and it will be my responsibility to extend this winning streak in 2023.
Richardson would play a significant role as a veteran player to aid in the development of Kent’s younger seam bowlers, according to Paul Downton, the team’s director of cricket. This year’s T20 competition will be Kane’s first, and he will be with us for the entire event, he stated.
“He is a seasoned bowler from abroad who will provide the club with a wealth of expertise. His skill set is among the best, and he will be a priceless resource for knowledge for our emerging seamen.”
Counties are allowed to have three foreign players in their squad at once, but only two of those players can participate in the starting XI during any particular competition. George Linde and Qais Ahmad represented Kent as their foreign players in the Blast last season, and Linde is scheduled to return in 2023 for the remaining season of his contract.
On May 23, Kent’s Blast season opens against Gloucestershire at home. On July 2, they will play their final group match away at Somerset, with the knockout rounds taking place over the next two weeks.