Linde leaves Kent, Sussex agree Rawlins contract termination

George Linde, the South Africa allrounder, has left Kent in order to maximise his availability for franchise cricket, while Delray Rawlins has agreed to terminate his Sussex contract after returning to Bermuda.

Linde, who has been capped by South Africa in all three international formats, signed for Kent as an overseas player on a two-year deal ahead of last season. He was available in all formats but has been left out of their County Championship side this year, and has left the club after their group-stage elimination from the T20 Blast.

He will instead feature in the upcoming Zim Afro T10 in Zimbabwe, before travelling to the Caribbean to play for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. "Unfortunately I haven't had much opportunity to play in the four-day game this year so I have decided to try and play more franchise cricket," Linde said.

He added: "I'd like to thank everyone at Kent, my team-mates and coaches as well as all the staff, members and supporters, for making me feel a part of the Kent Cricket family during my time here."

Rawlins, 25, meanwhile, asked Sussex for time away from the game immediately before the start of the Blast in order to return home to Bermuda, and both parties have now agreed a termination of his contract.

Rawlins was a highly rated young allrounder who represented England Under-19s on a tour to India that featured Harry Brook, Ollie Pope and Will Jacks in early 2017 but has struggled to kick on in recent seasons.

He said in a statement released by the club that he wanted to spend time at home, having left as a teenager to take up a scholarship at St Bede's School in Sussex. "I moved away from home at the age of 14 and haven't really had the opportunity to spend time with family and friends and I felt this was the right moment to have some time back home," Rawlins said.

"For me this isn't the end of my professional career, I feel as if I have a lot of cricket left in me. I just want to thank the club and everyone involved for everything they have done for me over the past seven seasons."

Rob Andrew, Sussex's CEO, said: "We were all very disappointed when Delray returned home just before the start of the Blast. We fully respected his request for some time away from the game and had hoped that he would return.

"We have however mutually agreed to end his contract with us with immediate effect. Delray has made a big impression on everyone in his time at Sussex and we all wish him every good fortune for his future."