London: Nottinghamshire and Somerset have strengthened their squads ahead of the 2026 Vitality T20 Blast, with South African allrounder George Linde joining Notts Outlaws and Australian star Daniel Sams switching counties to sign for defending champions Somerset.
George Linde Joins Nottinghamshire for Full T20 Blast Season
Nottinghamshire have secured the services of George Linde for the entire 2026 T20 Blast, including the knockout stages, as the competition moves to a newly condensed May–July window.
The 34-year-old left-arm spinner brings vast global T20 experience, having featured in leagues such as SA20, Major League Cricket (MLC), CPL and PSL. Linde previously played for Kent between 2022 and 2023, claiming 26 wickets in 27 Blast matches, and spent last summer at Trent Bridge with Trent Rockets in The Hundred, helping them reach the final.
Speaking after signing, Linde said he was excited to return to the Blast and Trent Bridge, describing the tournament as one of the most enjoyable T20 competitions to play in. He added that he is eager to contribute with both bat and ball as Notts aim for a return to the knockout stages.
Nottinghamshire head coach Peter Moores praised Linde’s versatility, highlighting his ability to bowl at any stage of the innings and his power as a left-handed middle-order batter. Moores also noted that Linde’s experience will significantly bolster the club’s spin resources across varying conditions.
Daniel Sams Swaps Notts for Somerset
Meanwhile, Daniel Sams has agreed a deal with Somerset, making Taunton his third county after spells with Essex and Nottinghamshire. The Australian allrounder is expected to be available for the full 2026 season as Somerset attempt to defend the title they won in 2025.
Sams was the Vitality Blast MVP in 2023 and famously played a key role in Essex’s run to the final that year, where they were beaten by Somerset. He said he is excited by the challenge of helping Somerset retain their crown, adding that he is familiar with the squad’s quality from playing against them in previous seasons.
Somerset’s director of cricket Andy Hurry described Sams as a proven match-winner in English conditions, praising his combination of pace bowling skill, explosive batting and adaptability in the shortest format.
Lancashire Add Mitchell Perry for Championship Campaign
In red-ball news, Lancashire have signed Australian seamer Mitchell Perry for the opening block of six matches in the 2026 County Championship.
The 25-year-old has impressed in domestic cricket with Victoria and Australia A. Across 49 first-class matches, Perry has taken 140 wickets at an average of 29.32 and has also contributed valuable lower-order runs, including five half-centuries.
Perry said joining Lancashire represents a major opportunity to fulfil his ambition of playing county cricket, while the club’s director of cricket performance Mark Chilton believes the Australian’s skillset is well suited to English conditions and will complement Lancashire’s existing bowling attack.
