Notts sign George Linde, Daniel Sams joins Somerset for T20 Blast

Nottinghamshire have signed George Linde, South Africa's spinning allrounder, for the 2026 Vitality T20 Blast. Meanwhile, Daniel Sams will swap Trent Bridge for Taunton after agreeing a deal with defending champions Somerset.

Linde, 34, will be available for the entire group stage and knockouts, which will be played from May to July next year in a newly condensed structure for the Blast.

The well-travelled left-armer has experience of playing in T20 leagues around the world, including SA20, MLC, the CPL and PSL. Linde represented Kent between 2022 and 2023, taking 26 wickets in 27 Blast appearances, and called Trent Bridge home last summer when helping Trent Rockets to reach the final of the Hundred.

"It's a great opportunity to play for Notts Outlaws, and I'm very excited to be coming back to the Blast, which is a competition that is a lot of fun to play in," Linde said. "I'm looking forward to joining up with the team, and I'll be aiming to contribute with bat and ball as we look to return to the knockout stages!

"I'm really excited to return to Trent Bridge, which I had a lot of fun calling home with the Rockets last year. It's a great venue, and I'm really excited to join a new team that has a very strong past record in T20 cricket."

Peter Moores, Nottinghamshire's head coach, said: "I'm excited that George has agreed to join us for the entire Blast season next summer. He has the ability to bowl at any stage of the innings, as well as being a powerful left-handed middle-order batter.

"George will add valuable experience to an already-talented spin group, making sure we're covered 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 Somerset this third county, having previously represented Essex and Nottinghamshire. He was the Blast's MVP in 2023, last man out in the final as Essex fell short in their chase against Somerset.

He is expected to be available for the full season as Somerset look to defend the title they won in 2025, their second success in three seasons.

"This is an exciting opportunity and hopefully I can help the team retain the trophy," Sams said. "Having played against Somerset, I know how good a T20 side they are and I'm looking forward to being a part of the team. I know a few of the guys already and I'll be doing everything that I can to help them win games of cricket in 2026."

Somerset's director of cricket, Andy Hurry, said: "Daniel has shown his quality all around the world and we are delighted that he will be joining us for our Vitality Blast title defence.

"He has demonstrated over the last few years that he can excel and really impact games in English conditions, and he will certainly bring a powerful blend of bowling finesse, explosive batting, and all-round adaptability."

Lancashire have bolstered their bowling stocks for the first block of six County Championship games by bringing in Australian seamer Mitchell Perry.

Perry, 25, has built a strong red-ball record with Victoria and been capped by Australia A. In 49 first-class matches, he has taken 140 wickets at 29.32, as well as scoring five fifties.

"I'm really excited to join Lancashire for the 2026 County Championship," Perry said. "It's 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 have heard great things from my Victoria team-mate Marcus Harris. I can't wait to get over to Emirates Old Trafford, meet the boys, and get stuck into a big red-ball season."

Mark Chilton, Lancashire's director of cricket performance, said: "We're really pleased to bring a talented bowler in Mitch to Lancashire for our first block of red-ball matches in the 2026 season. We have seen the strength in depth of Australia's seam bowling ranks, and the impact they've had on county cricket in recent seasons, and Mitch comes to us highly recommended.

"His skillset with the ball is well suited to English conditions, and we believe he will complement our existing attack perfectly. He will also strengthen the lower order batting which fits the profile of player we have been looking to bring to Emirates Old Trafford this summer."