Kent confirm Cohen and Evison departures after winning promotion

Kent have confirmed that Mikey Cohen and Joey Evison will leave the club at the end of the 2026 season, with the announcement coming after promotion to the County Championship’s top division. In a club statement, Kent thanked both players for their contributions and wished them well in the next stage of their careers.

BBC Sport reported that Cohen, 28, arrived before the 2024 season and claimed 13 wickets in 11 appearances across all formats for Kent. The South African-born French bowler qualified as a homegrown player through residency. Kent’s departure announcement did not identify a new club for him.

Evison’s next move had already been settled. Sussex announced in July that the 24-year-old all-rounder had agreed a three-year contract, with availability across all three formats. Kent subsequently confirmed that his permanent transfer would take effect on 1 October 2026, following a loan covering the remainder of the season.

The loan brought forward his arrival at Hove, making him available for Sussex’s final five Championship matches, according to BBC Sport. Explaining the arrangement in August, Kent director of cricket Simon Cook said most of the first-team squad were fit and that an early move would give Evison opportunities to play first-team cricket.

His departure ends a Kent spell that began with a loan from Nottinghamshire for the 2022 One Day Cup, before a permanent switch ahead of the 2023 season. Sussex’s signing announcement noted his contribution to Kent’s 2022 cup-winning side. It also recalled his unbeaten 48 from 24 balls against Sussex at Hove in 2025, an innings that helped Kent’s pursuit of a quarter-final place.

The two counties finished the Championship season in different divisions but will both be in Division One next year. BBC Sport reported that Kent secured promotion by finishing second in Division Two, while Sussex placed third in the top flight despite a 12-point deduction for financial issues.

Evison will also work again with former Kent head coach Matt Walker, who takes over from Paul Farbrace at Sussex in 2027. When Sussex announced the signing, Evison said the opportunity to reunite with Walker was something he was looking forward to.