Former Kent overseas fast bowler Matt Henry to return to England this summer to play for Somerset

Former Kent overseas fast bowler Matt Henry will be back in England this summer - but not representing The Spitfire Ground outfit.

New Zealand international Henry has had two spells at Kent while he was also due to play for the county in 2020 - although that deal was scrapped because of the coronavirus crisis.

The 31-year-old has proved a big hit and, with head coach Matt Walker still on the hunt for overseas recruits, many fans would have loved to have seen Henry return after he took 12 wickets in two County Championship Division 1 matches in 2022 during a win at Warwickshire and defeat at Lancashire, in which he claimed 5-45 and 4-82.

Instead, though, he will join up with his new team-mates at Somerset after the Black Caps’ One-Day International series against Pakistan.

He will be available for Somerset’s LV= Insurance County Championship match against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford which begins on May 11 and will remain with Somerset until July 31.

Overall, he will be eligible to play up to seven County Championship matches and will also be available for the whole of the T20 Blast.

Henry, who has also represented Worcestershire and Derbyshire in English domestic cricket, told Somerset’s website: “I enjoy playing in English conditions and I’m looking forward to joining up with Somerset.

“They are a club that are held in high regard, and I’ve heard only good things about the set-up there.

“I’m excited by the challenge, and I hope that I can make big contributions for Somerset.”

Somerset head coach Jason Kerr said: “To have someone of Matt’s calibre to compliment the attack that we have is beyond exciting.

“We’ve got a nucleus of bowlers who are capable of ensuring that we take 20 wickets in red-ball cricket