nottinghamshire have signed George LindeSouth Africa’s spinning all-rounder for the 2026 Vitality T20 Blast. During this time, Daniel Sams Trent Bridge to be replaced by Taunton after deal agreed with defending champions topsy-turvy,
Linde, 34, will be available for the entire group stage and knockouts, which will be played from May to July next year in a new condensed structure for the Blast.
The well-travelled left-hander has experience of playing in T20 leagues around the world including SA, MLC, CPL and PSL. Linde represented Kent between 2022 and 2023, taking 26 wickets in 27 Blast matches, and called Trent Bridge home last summer while helping the Trent Rockets reach the final of The Hundred.
Linde said, “This is a great opportunity to play for the Notts Outlaws, and I’m very excited to return to the Blast, which is a competition that is so much fun to play in.” “I am looking forward to joining the team, and will aim to contribute with bat and ball as we look to return to the knockout stage!
“I’m really excited to be returning to Trent Bridge, which I enjoyed calling home last year with the Rockets. It’s a fantastic place, and I’m really excited to be joining a new team that has a very strong track record in T20 cricket.”
“I am thrilled that George has agreed to join us for the full Blast season next summer. He has the ability to bowl at any stage of the innings, and is also a powerful left-handed middle-order batsman,” said Nottinghamshire head coach Peter Moores.
“George will add valuable experience to an already talented spin group, ensuring we are prepared for all conditions during the Blast. After spending some time with him at the Rockets, it was clear he has a real hunger to play in the Blast again after his first experience with Kent. We can’t wait to welcome him as part of our team.”
Sams, meanwhile, will make it the third county for Somerset, having previously represented Essex and Nottinghamshire. He was the Blast’s MVP in 2023, playing last out in the final as Essex missed out on their chase against Somerset.
He is expected to be available for the entire season as Somerset look to defend the title they won in 2025, their second success in three seasons.
“It’s an exciting opportunity and hopefully I can help the team retain the trophy,” Sams said. “After playing against Somerset, I know what a good T20 team they are and I am looking forward to being part of the team. I already know some of the guys and I will do everything I can to help them win cricket matches in 2026.”
Somerset’s Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry, said: “Daniel has shown his quality around the world and we are delighted he will be joining us to defend our Vitality Blast title.
“He has demonstrated over the last few years that he can excel in English conditions and really impact the game, and he will certainly bring a powerful blend of bowling skill, explosive batting and all-round adaptability.”
Lancashire sign Mitch Perry for Championship
lancashire The Australian has strengthened its bowling stock for the first block of six County Championship games by bringing in the seamer michelle perry,
Perry, 25, has a strong red-ball record with Victoria and has been capped by Australia A. In 49 first-class matches, he has taken 140 wickets at 29.32, along with five fifties.
“I’m really excited to be joining Lancashire for the 2026 County Championship,” Perry said. “This is a huge opportunity for me, and playing county cricket is something I’ve always wanted to experience. Lancashire is a club with a proud history and a strong squad, and I’m looking forward to contributing on and off the field.”
“I’ve heard great things from my Victoria teammate Marcus Harris. I can’t wait to get to Emirates Old Trafford, meet the boys and get stuck into a big red-ball season.”
Lancashire’s Cricket Performance Director, Mark Chilton, said: “We are really pleased to bring a talented bowler in the form of Mitch to Lancashire for our first block of red-ball matches in the 2026 season. We have seen the depth of Australia’s seam bowling ranks and the impact they have had on county cricket in recent seasons, and Mitch comes highly recommended to us.
“His skills with the ball are well suited to English conditions, and we are confident he will complement our existing attack perfectly. He will also strengthen the lower-order batting which fits the profile of the player we are looking to bring to Emirates Old Trafford this summer.”