Bowler Dudgeon to return to Kent for 2026 season

Keith Dudgeon took a career-best 7-36 in his only appearance for Kent this season before his campaign was cut short by injury

South African pace bowler Keith Dudgeon has signed for Kent for the entire 2026 season.

The 29-year-old will be available across all formats for the County Championship Division Two club.

Dudgeon joined Kent on a short-term deal at the start of this season but his spell at the club was cut short by a knee injury sustained in April.

He had made an impressive start to life at Kent, producing a career-best 7-36 on his debut against Northamptonshire.

But it would prove to be his only appearance for the club as he injured his knee in the warm-up before Kent's eight-wicket victory over Middlesex at the Spitfire Ground.

Kent were top of Division Two after two games but have since fallen to the bottom with no wins from their subsequent seven matches.

"It's a huge case of unfinished business for me, and I'm sure it seems that way for the Kent fans - I'm so pleased to be a Kent player again for the whole of next season," Dudgeon said.

"Everyone at the club made me feel so welcome in my short time in Canterbury and I have been avidly watching the lads as much as I can from South Africa as I continue to work hard to get back to full fitness. I wish them all the very best for the rest of this year."