Kemar Roach Joins Durham for County Championship Season
Kemar Roach's Move to Durham
West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach is set to join Durham for the initial phase of the County Championship season, marking the end of his five-year tenure with Surrey. Roach will integrate into the Durham squad ahead of their season opener against Kent at Banks Homes Riverside and will remain with the team in Chester-le-Street until mid-June, as reported on the Durham Cricket website.
Roach's Career Achievements
The three-time County Championship winner boasts impressive statistics in English cricket, having taken 97 wickets in 30 matches over the last five seasons with Surrey, in addition to 14 wickets in four games for Worcestershire. Since his Test debut in 2009, Roach is nearing 300 Test wickets for the West Indies, with 12 five-wicket hauls in 88 Tests, including a best of 6/48 against Bangladesh. He has also claimed 125 wickets in 95 One Day Internationals.
At 37 years old, Roach has amassed 580 first-class wickets in 183 matches, maintaining an average of 26.31. His best bowling figures are 8/40 against Hampshire in 2021, along with 24 five-wicket hauls in first-class cricket.
Roach, hailing from Barbados, has represented his local club since his List A debut in 2007 and has participated in various franchise leagues, including winning the Big Bash title with Brisbane Heat in 2013 and multiple seasons in the Caribbean Premier League.
Roach's Ambitions with Durham
Upon joining Durham, Roach expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I can't wait to join Durham for the 2026 season. Having played in the County Championship for the past five years, I recognize the seriousness of the Durham side, and I aim to contribute significantly to the team."
"I hope to assist Durham in their pursuit of a trophy this summer, as I believe the current squad is close to achieving that goal. I am eager to share my experience and help the team secure victories. The County Championship is as competitive as Test cricket, which is why I cherish it. Although the season is challenging, the rewards of winning are worth it, and I aim to instill a winning mentality within the Durham squad. I look forward to collaborating with my teammates and playing hard cricket," he added.
Durham's Director of Cricket Comments
Marcus North, the Director of Cricket, welcomed Roach, stating, "We are thrilled to have Kemar join Durham. He is a world-class player in Test cricket, and his experience in county cricket makes him an ideal addition to our team."
"Kemar brings exceptional quality with the ball and a wealth of knowledge that will benefit our younger bowlers during his time at Durham. His ability to lead bowling attacks in English conditions is highly valued as we aim to compete strongly in the County Championship. His professionalism, competitive spirit, and understanding of what it takes to win matches were crucial factors in our decision to recruit him. We anticipate that he will have a significant impact both on and off the field during his time with us. We are excited to see Kemar join the squad ahead of the season opener and are confident he will play a vital role in our success during the first half of the campaign," North concluded.