Kent Cricket have announced the overseas signings of South African right-arm pacer Keith Dudgeon and Pakistan Test seamer Kashif Ali to compliment the Club’s bowling line-up for the 2025 season, subject to regulatory approval.

Both Dudgeon and Ali will join the Club for the start of the 2025 Rothesay County Championship and will be available from Kent Men’s first Championship match of the season, away at Northamptonshire from 4th April, until the conclusion of Kent’s trip to Derbyshire on 23rd – 26th May.

Due to Wes Agar’s extended Australian Summer of Sheffield Shield and Dean Jones Trophy cricket with South Australia, the right-armer will now re-join Kent for a third Summer from the end of May to manage his workload. Agar will be available for the Group Stage of the 2025 Vitality Blast, from 30th May, and any first-class matches taking place until the end of July.

Keith Dudgeon has 224 first-class wickets to his name in his career so far at an average of 25.79, and Kashif Ali has 110 first-class wickets at 28.01. Ali made his Pakistan Test debut back in January against the West Indies.

The two new overseas signings will complement Kent’s bowling attack for the start of the red ball Summer, before Agar’s arrival at the end of May. Australian seamer Tom Rogers will also be a Kent Spitfire once again for the Group Stage of the 2025 Vitality Blast.

Kent’s Director of Cricket, Simon Cook, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Keith & Kashif to Canterbury for the start of the season.

“They are both good bowlers, and both will, we feel, complement our existing bowling unit well during their time here. We acted quickly to identify and secure their signatures as soon as it became clear that Wes Agar would only be available for June and July.

“Keith is a proven wicket-taker in South African domestic cricket and has the ability to make a difference. Kashif is a slightly more patient operator and will give us the ability to limit opposition runs and build pressure that hopefully our other bowlers can capitalise on.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming Wes back to Canterbury, albeit slightly later than anticipated. He is a big part of our dressing room and has already proven his ability with both the red and white ball.”

On joining Kent, Keith Dudgeon said: “I’m extremely excited to be joining Kent and help the side win matches. It’s a county with such a rich history I’m looking to make a big impression.

“Playing county cricket is such a big deal for South Africans and I’m looking to take this opportunity with both hands. I’d like to thank the Club for showing faith in me and to the supporters; you will get every inch out of me every day.”

Fellow new recruit Kashif Ali added: “I’d like to thank Kent for putting faith in me and giving me the opportunity to play county cricket.

“I’m excited to play for this great team and I will always do my best every time I wear a Kent shirt.”