Durham sign Kemar Roach for County Championship

Kemar Roach has left Surrey after five years to join Durham for the first half of the County Championship season. In his 30 first-class matches for Surrey, Roach, 37, took 97 wickets at 26.74 and won three Championships between 2022 and 24. However, only four of those wickets came in his two starts last season, and Surrey decided to move on after he was left out. In a statement released on Monday evening, Surrey stated, "Everyone at the club wishes Kemar the best for the future and thanks him for his incredible efforts in the Three Feathers." Instead, this summer, Roach will move down into the second division of the Championship, where he hopes to lead Durham's attack as they try to get promoted. He will be one of Durham's two permitted overseas players and is available for the first half of the season, until mid-June. David Bedingham, who is from South Africa, is the other. Roach was described as a "world-class performer" and a "perfect fit" to lead Durham's seam attack by Marcus North, their director of cricket. According to North, "Kemar brings proven quality with the ball as well as a wealth of knowledge that will benefit our younger bowlers throughout his time at Durham." "As we aim to compete strongly in the County Championship, we place a high value on his ability to lead attacks in English conditions. The club decided to bring him in because of his professionalism, competitiveness, and comprehension of what it takes to win matches in the County Championship. Roach played his most recent competitive cricket at the end of last year's West Indies Test series in New Zealand. He took seven wickets in the first Test and scored an unbeaten rearguard 58 to help the West Indies hold on for an unlikely draw. In the second Test, he took two wickets and pulled up in the third with a hamstring injury. Roach stated, "I can't wait to join Durham for the 2026 season." "Having participated in the County Championship for the past five years, I am aware of Durham's seriousness... I hope to assist Durham in winning a trophy this summer, and I believe the team Durham has is very close to winning." "I love the County Championship so much because it is comparable to playing Test cricket. We are aware of how difficult the county grind can be, but winning brings rewards, and I hope to bring that winning attitude to Durham. I am looking forward to playing hard cricket with the guys and getting to know them.