Nathan Gilchrist: Kent bowler to join Warwickshire on three-year deal

Kent fast bowler Nathan Gilchrist is to join Warwickshire at the end of the season after signing a three-year deal.

The Zimbabwe-born right-armer has made 90 appearances across all formats in his five seasons with Kent and has taken 107 wickets in 35 County Championship matches, including five or more in an innings on four occasions.

Gilchrist, 25, is Kent’s leading wicket-taker in both first-class and T20 formats this season, with 23 and 15 respectively, and has helped the club reach the quarter-finals of the Blast.

“This was an extremely tough decision for me to make, but this is the best move for me, and for my career, at this point in time,” Gilchrist told the Kent website, external.

“I’d like to thank everyone at Kent for believing in me from day one when I arrived here as a 20-year-old looking to prove myself back in 2020.

“I hope that I have done just that and I’m extremely proud to have been a Kent cricketer.

“It’s not quite goodbye just yet, and I’m fully focussed on ending this season on a high note.”

Kent director of cricket, Simon Cook, said: “We’re disappointed that Nathan has chosen to not sign a new contract here and move to Warwickshire, but we wish him all the very best for the future.”

In 2022, Gilchrist was Kent’s leading wicket-taker in the Championship with 33 from eight matches.

He was also part of the Spitfires’ One-Day Cup-winning side, taking 3-65 in the final against Lancashire.

“Nathan is a proven performer at county level who has demonstrated real quality with the ball,” first-team coach Ian Westwood told the Warwickshire website, external.

“His ability to take wickets consistently, and impact with match-winning performances, demonstrates he will be a real asset to our squad.

“We’re excited to have Nathan in a Bears jersey and believe he’ll be a key component in our pursuit of trophy success over the coming seasons.”