Ben Harmison Signs Kent Deal

Ben Harmison Signs Kent Deal

Harmison junior bowls for Durham against his new side Kent during the Twenty 20 quarter-final.

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Kent have signed former Durham all-rounder Ben Harmsion on a contract of undisclosed length ahead of the 2012 season.

The 25 year-old averaged 26.1 with the bat and 34.66 with the ball during his seven year first-class career at the Riverside, which included being a member of 2008’s County Championship winning side, and said of his new deal at Canterbury: “I am delighted to have signed for Kent [and] cannot wait to get down to Kent and start training with the squad. I am looking forward to an exciting 2012 season. This is a great opportunity and I look forward to continuing my career with a county hungry for success."

The former England Under-19 player was released in acrimonious circumstances by his former employees Durham mid-way through last season, with elder brother Steve sticking up for his younger sibling, resulting in the Professional Cricketers’ Association being called upon to settle the dispute.

However, that is all now in the past and Kent chairman of cricket Graham Johnson was looking only towards the future when asked for his reaction to the news.

He said, “I am delighted that we have signed Ben - he offers a lot with both bat and ball, and he was a target for us during the recent recruitment process. He has a point to prove about making the best of his undoubted ability and we look forward to helping him do that. I am sure that all involved with Kent Cricket will make him very welcome."

In other county transfer news, it is believed that Leicestershire are discussing the possibility of a new contract with former Kent pace-bowler Robbie Joseph, who was released by the county last month.

© Cricket World 2011