Kent sign Conor McKerr on loan for Championship run-in

The Surrey quick has played three LV= Insurance County Championship matches this season, taking four wickets, and is available to face Hampshire and Somerset later this month

Conor McKerr has joined Kent on loan from Surrey for the final two matches of the LV= Insurance County Championship season.

The 24-year-old is available for the trip to Hampshire (September 20-23) and the visit of Somerset (September 26-29).

McKerr has taken 44 wickets in 17 first-class matches, and four in three during this season's Championship for Division One leaders Surrey.

His most recent senior red-ball outing came as a late replacement for injury victim Dan Worrall, taking 3 for 39 and scoring 37 with the bat against Warwickshire.

South African-born McKerr has previously enjoyed two spells on loan at Derbyshire since arriving at the Kia Oval in 2016.

Kent are currently eighth in Division One, level on points with Warwickshire and eight adrift of seventh-place Somerset.

walkerm160901-min

Kent head coach Matthew Walker (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

There is some uncertainty over the structure of next season's red-ball competition, though it will still comprise 14 matches. Nevertheless, those three sides are battling to avoid finishing in the bottom two (normally the relegation places) alongside Gloucestershire.

Head coach Matthew Walker faces being without Matt Milnes for the rest of the season, ahead of his move to Yorkshire, while Nathan Gilchrist is also missing through injury.

McKerr's arrival ensures the bowling stocks are at least particularly filled for the run-in.

The desperate need for bodies at Canterbury may at least partially nullify any cynicism from The Ageas Bowl, with Surrey's Championship rivals Hampshire the next opponents.

Eight points separate the title contenders heading into the final two rounds, with Surrey returning to the top with two to play courtesy of the draw at Northamptonshire.

Gareth Batty's side round off their campaign against Yorkshire - themselves looked to steer away from danger - and Lancashire.


Related Topics

Comments

LATEST NEWS

STAY UP TO DATE Sign up to our newsletter...
SIGN UP

Thank You! Thank you for subscribing!

Units 7-8, 35-37 High St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough, LE128PY

website@thecricketer.com

Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.