Middlesex and former England Lions fast-bowler James Harris joins Kent
Published: 13:45, 04 April 2017
Kent have signed Middlesex fast-bowler James Harris on loan for the start of the season.
The 26-year-old right-armer was previously one of the hottest prospects in the game after coming through the ranks at Glamorgan before moving to Lord's in 2013.
Harris has played 111 First Class matches taking 367 wickets with a career best of 9-34 against Durham at Lord's in 2015, and earned representative honours for England Lions and under-19s.
Harris was the first 17-year-old to take a seven-wicket haul and earned a full call-up to the England T20 squad in 2012, though he did not make the side.
He is also a useful lower-order bat, with a best of 87 not out and 12 half centuries to his name.
Harris took 69 Championship wickets in 2015 before claiming 16 wickets in seven red-ball appearances as Middlesex claimed the Division 1 title last season.
He said: “I am pleased to be starting the season with Kent and am grateful to the two counties for making it happen.
"I look forward to helping get the Kent season off to a positive start in the coming weeks."
Head coach Matt Walker said: “James has been one of the leading seam bowlers in county cricket in recent years.
“To have him on board with us for the start of the season is very exciting and he brings extra quality to our talented squad.”
Kent are understood to have signed Harris for at least the opening three Championship games, the first of which is at home to Gloucestershire on Friday (11am), and the eight group stage games in the Royal London One-Day Cup, though Middlesex can recall him.
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Alex Hoad