Loan signing Harris to add ‘extra quality’

Kent have signed Middlesex fast bowler James Harris on loan for the start of the season. The 26-year-old was previously one of the hottest prospects in the game after coming through the ranks at Glamorgan before moving to Lord’s in 2013. He said: “I am pleased to be starting the season with Kent and grateful to the two counties for making it happen. “I look forward to helping get the Kent season off to a positive start in the coming weeks.” Head coach Matt Walker said: “James has been one of the leading seam bowlers in county cricket in recent years. “To have him on board for the start of the season is exciting and he brings extra quality to our talented squad.” Harris has played 111 First Class matches taking 367 wickets with a career best of 9-34 against Durham at Lord’s in 2015 and earned representative honours for England Lions and under-19s. Harris was the first 17-year-old to take a seven-wicket haul and earned a call-up to the England T20 squad in 2012, although he did not make the side. He is also a useful lower-order batsman, with 12 half centuries. Harris claimed 69 championship victims in 2015 before claiming 16 wickets in seven red-ball appearances as Middlesex claimed the Division 1 title last season. Kent are understood to have signed him for at least the opening three championship games, the first of which is at home to Gloucestershire on Friday and the eight group games in the Royal London One-day Cup, although Middlesex can recall him.