Michael Hogan reverses retirement to sign one-year Kent contract

Michael Hogan, the Australia-born former Glamorgan fast bowler, has gone back on his decision to retire and signed a one-year deal with Kent at the age of 41.

Hogan, who has a British passport and qualifies as a local player, made his first-class debut for Western Australia as a 28-year-old, before starting a decade-long association with Glamorgan. He announced last year that 2022 would be his last summer with the club, although he remained a reliable performer and won involvement with the Hundred as a Blast wildcard pick for Southern Brave.

He revealed after the final game in his testimonial season for Glamorgan that he had been contacted by other counties about continuing his career, telling the BBC: "It's better to be wanted than not, but at 41 years old, I'm over the moon with how long a career I've had. I'm looking forward to spending time with my family."

However, he has been tempted into a rethink by Kent, where he will bolster the seam attack after the departures of Matt Milnes, Harry Podmore (who signed for Glamorgan this week in an unrelated move) and allrounder Darren Stevens.

"Hoges has been an outstanding bowler for many years and will bring a vast amount of experience to our bowling unit. His numbers show he is an invaluable acquisition, and he continues to be a threat in both four-day and T20 cricket," Kent's director of cricket, Paul Downton, said.

"I'm particularly excited about the knowledge he will bring with him, which will be invaluable to all our bowlers, particularly the young and upcoming talents at the club."

Hogan was Glamorgan's leading wicket-taker in both the Blast, with 20 at 16.65, and the County Championship (45 at 27.44) last season. He also captained the club between 2017 and 2018, and it was reported in the Telegraph last week that Glamorgan, who had offered him another one-year deal, were unhappy to learn of his change of heart.

The contract at Kent will see Hogan begin moves into coaching, as he joins the backroom set-up for their defence of the Royal London Cup.

It will also test his ability to maintain an unlikely world record: never having been dismissed lbw in 380 appearances as a professional.

Hogan said: "I'm really looking forward to a fresh challenge at this stage of my playing career. After 10 memorable seasons with Glamorgan the opportunity to play for Kent in Division One of the Championship, and to also cut my teeth mentoring in a new environment, is an exciting one."