Harry Podmore moves on from Kent after signing Glamorgan deal

Harry Podmore has signed a multi-year contract with Glamorgan after struggling with injury across his last two seasons with Kent.

He will be tasked with leading the seam attack in the Championship in the absence of Michael Hogan, who is set to U-turn on his retirement and join Kent in an unrelated deal which has taken Glamorgan's hierarchy by surprise.

Podmore, 28, joined Kent from Middlesex in 2018 and enjoyed success in the County Championship, taking 43 Division Two wickets in his first season with the club and a further 52 in Division One the following summer after winning promotion.

He has struggled with injuries over the last two seasons, though was part of the Kent squad that won the Royal London Cup this year and played twice when they won the T20 Blast in 2021.

"After a challenging couple of seasons, I have decided to leave Kent, and I do so with a heavy heart," Podmore said. "I have loved my time at the club, and am proud to be a capped player. I will always cherish the memories of winning two trophies and competing well in Division One of the County Championship. I simply feel it is time for a fresh start."

Podmore has previously played for Glamorgan on loan from Middlesex, and said he felt a "sense of ambition and excitement around the club" after conversations with director of cricket Mark Wallace. "I strongly believe my best cricket lies ahead of me, and look forward to thriving in all formats," he added.

Wallace said: "He's a very talented bowler who can bowl long and consistent spells and will bolster our attack across the formats. Having known him from his loan spells here, we are certain he will fit in well in the dressing room. He is at the age where his peak years lie ahead and can perform across all formats."

As well as Hogan, Glamorgan released four seam-bowling options at the end of the 2022 season (Lukas Carey, Joe Cooke, Ruaidhri Smith and James Weighell) as well as wicketkeeper Tom Cullen.

They recently announced the signing of Zain Ul Hassan, an allrounder who represented the South Asian Cricket Academy this summer, while academy players Ben Morris and Ben Kellaway have also signed rookie contracts.