Sam Northeast seems set to return to boyhood membership Kent on the finish of the season eight years after leaving to additional his worldwide ambitions.
Glamorgan captain Northeast’s present contract runs out in October, when he turns 36, and Kent are eager to take again one of the crucial prolific batsmen on the county circuit.
Initially quitting Canterbury to maneuver to Hampshire within the perception that it will act as a catalyst for England choice, he has truly hit his high kind since relocating to Cardiff forward of the 2022 season, averaging 46 in 50 first-class matches – six runs above his profession mark.
Mail Sport understands the pursuit of Northeast by Kent, the County Championship’s backside aspect on the competitors’s midway level, coincides with a considerable provide from Essex to Ben Compton, one in every of a raft of gamers within the last months of offers free to speak to rival counties from June 1.
Compton, grandson of the good Denis Compton, is the main English-qualified run scorer within the 2025 Championship with 823 together with 4 a whole lot.
The 31-year-old was a late developer, however surged past the 1,000-run barrier in his breakthrough season of 2022 and has established himself as one of the crucial dependable opening batsmen within the nation.
Glamorgan captain Sam Northeast set to return to boyhood membership Kent on the finish of the season

Kent’s pursuit of Northeast comes with Essex having made a considerable provide to Ben Compton

Josh de Caires, son of ex-England captain Michael Atherton, can be of curiosity to Essex
Josh de Caires, son of ex-England captain Michael Atherton, is one other participant understood to be attention-grabbing Essex in addition to Atherton’s former membership Lancashire. De Caires, 23, was missed by Middlesex throughout the first half of the Division Two season, however was recalled for this week’s journey to Northamptonshire and responded with a career-best 87 within the second innings.
It isn’t a very large summer season by way of main switches, however the two centrally-contracted England gamers whose county offers are expiring quickly face a contrasting few weeks.
As just lately revealed by Mail Sport, a dozen golf equipment have been involved with Take a look at spinner Shoaib Bashir on the subject of a brand new residence from 2026 onwards.
Warwickshire have now emerged as frontrunners to tackle the Somerset man – with Essex, Lancashire and Leicestershire providing potential various locations – after they secured their No 1 goal Jordan Thompson, the Yorkshire all-rounder on a profitable three-year contract.
The return of sluggish left-armer Danny Briggs to Sussex, confirmed earlier this month, means Warwickshire have a emptiness for the position of senior spinner. Within the brief time period, they’ve recruited Australian off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, however are out there for a longer-term answer and Bashir’s future needs to be determined by the tip of July.
In the meantime, talks between Jonny Bairstow and Yorkshire have been positioned on maintain till later within the season following preliminary discussions earlier this month.
The 35-year-old was appointed membership captain on the eve of this season, however what sort of contract if any is obtainable by Yorkshire will rely on his intentions as soon as the ECB cease paying his wages this autumn.
Bairstow could even take into account going freelance in direction of the tip of his profession after his eye-catching performances as a alternative participant for Mumbai Indians within the Indian Premier League opened up potential alternatives on the worldwide franchise circuit.

Warwickshire are frontrunners for England spinner Shoaib Bashir when his Somerset deal ends

Talks between Yorkshire and captain Jonny Bairstow are on maintain and he could go freelance
Yorkshire’s cricket supervisor Gavin Hamilton has made clear the membership need one in every of their greatest ever gamers to proceed his profession with them, however is real looking sufficient to know a everlasting gig with Mumbai at subsequent yr’s IPL could possibly be within the offing in addition to gives to play for different MI off-shoots around the globe.
Bairstow has already agreed a deal to play for Sunrisers Japanese Cape within the SA20 on the again of Yorkshire’s Hundred unload to the Sunrisers group and the way a lot he’s accessible from subsequent yr is more likely to be dictated by the fullness of his diary.
Yorkshire have handed a brand new deal to Will Luxton, their ex-England Underneath-19 batter, however Jonny Tattersall, who captained the staff throughout the enterprise finish of 2024’s Championship promotion, is but to agree recent phrases and seems set to give up Headingley.
Surrey swooped for Yorkshire seamer Matt Fisher 12 months in the past however insiders on the Oval counsel there are not any imminent plans to make additions for 2026. Slightly than signal a quick bowler from elsewhere, they’re likelier to combine Alex French, a 6ft 6ins academy participant, into their first-team squad.
Equally, Hampshire are eager to develop what younger expertise they’ve of their tempo shares and are more and more hopeful of conserving England white-ball worldwide John Turner, who frolicked on mortgage at Lancashire earlier this season and was contemplating his choices.
Lancashire had been understood to be in pole place to signal thrilling paceman Ajeet Singh Dale when Dale Benkenstein, his former Gloucestershire coach, was in cost at Emirates Previous Trafford, however there may be critical competitors across the shires for the signatures of each Dale and his county colleague Zaman Akhter whereas one other rising new-ball operator Nathan Gilchrist seems to be sure to go away Kent together with sought-after batsman Tawanda Muyeye.