Matt Parkinson to depart Lancashire for Kent at season’s finish
Matt Parkinson will depart Lancashire on the finish of the season to hitch Kent on a three-year-deal.
The 26-year-old leg-spinner has discovered his alternatives restricted at his boyhood county, regardless of beginning the season with a five-wicket haul within the first spherical of this season’s County Championship towards Surrey. He then performed one match on mortgage at Durham earlier than returning for Lancashire’s Vitality Blast marketing campaign.
Parkinson made his Test debut final summer time as a concussion substitute for Jack Leach in the course of the Lord’s Test towards New Zealand however has since fallen down the pecking order for membership and nation. That stays the final of 12 worldwide caps as different spin bowling choices, similar to Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks, got here to the fore over the winter.
Parkinson’s travails had been compounded when he was ignored for the Hundred Draft, regardless of taking 20 wickets for Manchester Originals throughout the primary two seasons of the boys’s competitors. In the top, a transfer suited all events, with the emergence of finger spinner Tom Hartley at Lancashire, who additionally affords larger worth with the bat.
Nevertheless, Parkinson nonetheless boasts distinctive first-class and Twenty20 data, with 151 dismissals at a mean of 25.92 and 139 at 18.96 respectively.
“The time is right for me to embrace a new challenge and environment,” stated Parkinson in a Kent assertion. “I’m so excited that this will be at Kent.
“I’m pleased with my file within the recreation to date & I consider my finest years as a leg-spin bowler are forward of me. I’ve heard very constructive issues in regards to the squad and I’m wanting ahead to working with Matt Walker and the opposite coaches.
“I promise my new teammates and the Kent supporters that I will throw myself into this new challenge and I can’t wait to get down to Canterbury to get started.
“I’d additionally wish to take this chance to thank the Lancs members for the assist they’ve given to me throughout my time at Old Trafford. I thank my teammates for his or her friendship and need them the most effective.”
Kent’s Director of Cricket, Paul Downton, stated: “Everyone at Kent is admittedly excited that Matt has determined to hitch the membership on a long-term contract.
“To have a proven match-winning leg-spinner in our ranks will be a major boost to the squad. Matt is also a feisty competitor who will bring a lot to our dressing room. We look forward to welcoming him to Canterbury.”
Mark Chilton, Lancashire’s Director of Cricket Performance, stated: “On behalf of everybody connected with Lancashire Cricket, I would like to thank Matt for all of his commitment and efforts since making his first-class debut in 2016, having progressed through our academy.
“Matt has discovered first-team alternatives restricted this season and we respect the choice that he has made to maneuver on on the finish of his contract, with a purpose to search a brand new problem elsewhere. We would all wish to want Matt effectively for the following stage of his profession at Canterbury.”
It appears unlikely Parkinson will transfer on mortgage for the rest of the season, as is normally the way in which with these types of offers. The reality Lancashire (seventh) and Kent (ninth) are separated by 20 factors on the foot of Division One makes that an ungainly proposition.