Kent secure Newman loan

Kent have completed the loan signing of opening batsman Scott Newman from Middlesex for the first two months of the season.

Newman, who moved to Middlesex from Surrey in 2010, is effectively swapping positions with Joe Denly who left Kent for Middlesex over the winter. He will join the Kent squad for their pre-season tour of Antigua and be available until May 31 unless recalled by Middlesex.

Denly's arrival has given Middlesex plenty of top-order batting options and he is set to open in the County Championship. With Sam Robson likely to partner him having averaged 59 last year and Chris Rogers at No. 3, Newman's early-season chances could have been limited especially when Andrew Strauss is made available following the Sri Lanka tour.

Newman, though, is hoping the short-term switch can help him secure a first team place with Middlesex. "I am happy to have reached an agreement to play for Kent early in the season and am looking forward to helping get them off to a good start in the County Championship. That said my main goal is to work at getting back into the first eleven at Middlesex."

Angus Fraser, the managing director of cricket at Middlesex, said: "A player of Scott's experience needs to be playing first-class cricket and this gives him the perfect opportunity to do so, so it's a win-win situation for us."