In a significant move for the 2026 County Championship season, veteran West Indies seamer Kemar Roach has signed with Durham for the first half of the campaign. The announcement, made on February 23, 2026, brings an end to Roach’s highly successful five-year stint with Surrey, where he became a cornerstone of their bowling attack and a three-time champion.
Roach is expected to link up with the Durham squad ahead of their season opener against Kent at the Banks Homes Riverside. He will remain with the club until mid-June, filling one of their two permitted overseas slots alongside South African batter David Bedingham.
A Proven Winner Moves North
Roach’s arrival is a major boost for Durham as they look to compete in Division One. His record in English conditions is formidable, having adapted his high-pace style into a masterclass of swing and seam movement over the last half-decade.
- Surrey Legacy: Between 2022 and 2024, Roach took 97 wickets at an average of 26.74 in 30 first-class appearances for the “Three Feathers.”
- Test Pedigree: With 294 Test wickets, Roach is currently fifth on the West Indies’ all-time list, trailing legends like Courtney Walsh and Malcolm Marshall.
- Versatility: Beyond his bowling, Roach recently demonstrated his value as a “nightwatchman deluxe,” scoring a career-best 58* off 233 balls to save a Test match against New Zealand in late 2025.
Why Durham?
Durham Director of Cricket Marcus North emphasized that Roach’s “world-class” ability and competitive nature made him the perfect fit. With England stars Matthew Potts, Brydon Carse, and Mark Wood often away on international duty, Roach provides much-needed stability and mentorship for the club’s younger bowlers.
“The County Championship for me is as close as playing Test cricket which is why I love it so much. I hope to help Durham push for a trophy this summer and I think the group Durham have is very close to doing that.” — Kemar Roach
