Ben Harmison moves to Kent

Ben Harmison, the former Durham batsman, has signed for Kent. He was released by Durham at the end of last season after seven years at the Riverside.

The brother of former England bowler Steve, Harmison made his first-class debut in 2006 and played in seven County Championship matches that summer. But he failed to maintain a permanent place in the side as Durham won back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009.

He was released at the end of the 2011 season having scored 1,488 first-class runs at 26.10 and taken 33 wickets at 34.66.

Kent have now signed a second batsman, after bringing in former Glamorgan player Michael Powell, to replace Joe Denley, who left for Middlesex, and Martin van Jaarsveld, who retired having initially signed for Leicestershire.

"I cannot wait to get down to Kent and start training with the squad," said Harmison. "I look forward to an exciting 2012 season. This is a great opportunity to continue my career with a county hungry for success."

Kent chairman of cricket, Graham Johnson, said Harmison offers a lot with both bat and ball. "He has a point to prove about making the best of his undoubted ability and we look forward to helping him do that."