Nathan Sowter to leave Middlesex at end of season

The leg-spinner has only played 13 first-class matches – and none since midway through 2021 - thriving mainly in limited-over cricket

Middlesex have confirmed that Nathan Sowter will leave the county at the end of the season.

The leg-spinner, 29, is currently on loan at Durham until the culmination of the T20 Blast and is also available for red-ball cricket. He is yet to represent Middlesex's first team this season.

The Cricketer understands that it was made clear to Sowter ahead of Middlesex's T20 campaign that he was unlikely to feature in the competition where he has previously thrived, with younger options – Luke Hollman and Thilan Walallawita – being preferred in the spin department alongside overseas off-spinner Chris Green, signed as cover for Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

"Sometimes in professional sport you are faced with tough decisions, and letting Nathan leave the club is certainly one of those times," said Alan Coleman, Middlesex's head of men's performance cricket.

"He has been an outstanding servant for Middlesex since making his debut for the club back in 2015 and has always been a popular member within the dressing room, however as a club we need to look forwards at the squad we are trying to build.

"We are in the process of building for the future and are extremely fortunate to have several very talented young players within the squad who are in the early stages of their careers. With the right tutelage and coaching, these players will develop into fine cricketers who can go on to represent this club for many years to come, helping us to build a successful future for Middlesex on the field."

^{Sowter is yet to play for Middlesex's first team this summer (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)}

He added: "For these youngsters to flourish and develop to their full potential they need game-time and match experience, and that can only be gained by selecting them ahead of others and giving them the opportunities they need.

"No one likes to see good cricketers leave the club, and Nathan undoubtedly is, however we need to make decisions based on the future of Middlesex and on the side we are trying to build here, and that sadly has an impact on others in the squad."

Sowter, who was born and raised in New South Wales, has made 106 appearances for Middlesex, completing his England eligibility period in the process. He earned his initial opening as a 22-year-old after impressing in the Surrey Championship with Normandy and was permitted to play as a non-overseas player through his family ancestry and a British passport.

He has only played 13 first-class matches – and none since midway through 2021. In the main, he has thrived in limited-over cricket, picking up 107 wickets for Middlesex in the shorter formats, earning a deal with Oval Invincibles in the inaugural edition of The Hundred.

Related Topics

• Durham sign Nathan Sowter on loan from Middlesex