Kent County Cricket Club have confirmed that fast bowler Robbie Joseph is to leave the Club.

Joseph made his debut for the county at the end of the 2005 season, and during his time at Kent he took 144 first class wickets at 31.25, he also took 47 wickets in one day and Twenty20 cricket.

Performances in 2008 lead him to the England Performance Squad and to recognition with England Lions.

Kent Cricket Chairman of Cricket, Graham Johnson commented; “We would like to thank Robbie for his efforts for the county over the years and wish him well for the future.”

Robbie Joseph said; “I have greatly enjoyed my time at Kent and now looking forward to a new challenge elsewhere. I feel I still have a great deal to achieve in the game and am looking forward to making that happen.”

Joseph’s departure isn’t at all unexpected after an injury plagued six years at the county. Shoulder surgery two winters ago failed to get the fast bowler back to his best.

The 29 year old’s last game for the county was the Championship game against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham back in June where he finished with bowling figures of 1 for 110 as Kent lost the game by an innings and 142 runs.

Joseph becomes the third player to leave Canterbury this winter with Joe Denly having joined Middlesex and Martin van Jaarsveld departing for Leicestershire.

News on out of contract pair Simon Cook and Azhar Mahmood is expected in the near future.