Sussex sign seamer Keith Dudgeon on two-year deal

Keith Dudgeon, a seamstress from South Africa, has been signed by Sussex as one of their overseas players for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

Dudgeon impressed in his one appearance in 2025 before suffering a season-ending injury, taking 42 wickets for Kent in their promotion-winning campaign this summer. During his time in Canterbury, he took 50 wickets in total at a rate of 28.34.

"We are delighted Keith has committed the next two years to joining us at Hove," Sussex's director of cricket, Paul Farbrace, said. "He is exactly the kind of player and person we were looking for to assist us in continuing our growth, competing in Division One of the County Championship, and aiming for the Blast knockout stages.

"This team needs Keith's high level of skill, experience, and winning nature right now. We are looking forward to welcoming Keith and his family to Hove and contributing to the club's continued development."

Since the ECB imposed special measures earlier this year, Sussex has been operating with smaller budgets. While club captain John Simpson, England prospect Henry Crocombe, experienced allrounder Fynn Hudson-Prentice, and top-order batter Tom Alsop have all left, Farbrace has assumed a part-time position as director of cricket and Matt Walker has been hired as head coach.

On Thursday, the club also made the announcement that Australian opener Daniel Hughes, who had spent the previous three seasons with Hove, would not be returning.

The addition of Kent all-rounder Joey Evison and the signing of Dudgeon on a two-year contract will help offset some of those losses as Sussex attempt to repeat their third-place finish in Division One.

"Really happy to share that I'll be joining Sussex for the next couple of seasons," Dudgeon stated. The objective has been long-term county cricket, and I am grateful for Sussex's support in that regard.

"I'm looking forward to joining them, bringing good energy, and contributing to the team in any way I can," I've been told, "there's a great group of lads in the dressing room." I would like to express my gratitude to captains Matt Walker and Paul Farbrace for making this possible.

"I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at Kent for the past two seasons. I have so many wonderful memories, people, and experiences to be thankful for. I will always have a special place in my heart for Kent. It's a great club with great people, and I'm confident that it will grow as well.

"I'm really looking forward to what's ahead at Sussex, and now it's time for a new challenge."

ACE academy graduate Troy Henry, white-ball specialists Brad Currie and Harrison Ward, and rookie fast bowler Nantes Oosthuizen are the four other players who have been let go by Sussex at the end of their contracts.