Fri Dec 19 14:10:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the cricket player signings, styled for ESPN India:

ESPN India Cricket News: T20 Blast Shakeup as Linde Joins Notts, Sams Switches to Somerset; Lancashire Snag Aussie Seamer

Nottingham, UK – The Vitality T20 Blast is set for a thrilling 2026 season with significant player movements shaking up the landscape. Nottinghamshire Outlaws have secured the services of experienced South African all-rounder George Linde, while Daniel Sams will depart Trent Bridge to join defending champions Somerset. Meanwhile, Lancashire has boosted their squad with the addition of Australian seamer Mitchell Perry for the initial County Championship matches.

Linde, a left-arm spinner and handy lower-order batsman, will be available for the entirety of the Blast group stage and knockout rounds. The 34-year-old brings a wealth of T20 experience from leagues worldwide, including previous stints in the Blast with Kent. He’s eager to contribute with both bat and ball to help Nottinghamshire return to the knockout stages. “It’s a great opportunity to play for Notts Outlaws, and I’m very excited to be coming back to the Blast,” Linde said.

However, Nottinghamshire will lose Daniel Sams to Somerset. Sams, who was the Blast’s MVP in 2023, is expected to be a key figure in Somerset’s title defense. “This is an exciting opportunity and hopefully I can help the team retain the trophy,” Sams stated.

Nottinghamshire Head Coach Peter Moores expressed excitement about Linde’s arrival, highlighting his ability to bowl at any stage of the innings and his powerful left-handed batting. Somerset’s Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry, echoed this sentiment regarding Sams, praising his “powerful blend of bowling finesse, explosive batting, and all-round adaptability.”

In other news, Lancashire have added Mitchell Perry to their roster for the first six County Championship games of 2026. Perry, a 25-year-old right-arm seamer with a solid first-class record, joins from Victoria and is keen to experience county cricket. Lancashire’s Director of Cricket Performance, Mark Chilton, believes Perry’s skillset is “well suited to English conditions” and will complement the existing bowling attack.

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