Promotion seasons are supposed to be straightforward celebrations, but Kent's return to County Championship Division One comes with a notable sting in the tail. The club has officially confirmed that fast bowler Mikey Cohen will depart alongside all-rounder Joey Evison when the 2026 campaign concludes, leaving the Spitfires with genuine gaps to fill ahead of what should be an exciting return to the top flight.
A Double Blow for the Spitfires
While Evison's departure had already been made public back in July, Cohen's exit is the fresher wound for Kent supporters to process. The 28-year-old bowler, born in South Africa but qualifying to play as a homegrown cricketer through residency, managed just 11 appearances across all formats during his time at the club following his arrival ahead of the 2024 season. In those outings, he claimed 13 wickets — a modest return, perhaps, but one that barely scratches the surface of what he might have contributed had he been given a fuller run. Losing two players in one announcement rarely makes for comfortable reading in any dressing room.
Evison Already Looking to the Future
For Joey Evison, the move to Sussex was clearly on the cards well before the official confirmation. The 24-year-old all-rounder didn't even wait until the off-season to begin his new chapter, linking up with Sussex for the final five matches of the 2026 County Championship season. That kind of early integration speaks volumes about how invested both parties are in making the arrangement work. At Hove, Evison will be reunited with Matt Walker, who takes charge of Sussex in 2027 after stepping away from his head coaching role at Kent. That shared history could prove a real asset as Walker builds his new side — and it certainly suggests the move was driven by more than geography or contract figures alone.
Sussex and Kent Both Heading for Division One
There's an intriguing subplot to all of this from a competition standpoint. Sussex, despite carrying a 12-point penalty for financial irregularities, still managed to finish third in Division One — a remarkable achievement that underlines the quality of their squad. Kent, meanwhile, claimed the runners-up spot in Division Two to secure their promotion. That means come 2027, Evison will face his former employers in the top flight, adding a layer of personal narrative to what are already compelling County Championship fixtures. For those tracking the title race outright market, Kent's squad losses may well influence how bookmakers price their chances of making an immediate impact in Division One.
Kent Must Act Swiftly in the Transfer Market
From a coaching and squad-building perspective, Kent's hierarchy will need to move decisively. Replacing two contributors — one with genuine all-round capability in Evison, and a specialist bowler in Cohen — before stepping up to face the best county sides in the country is a significant challenge. The club's recruitment team will need to identify players capable of performing at the higher level, not simply filling numbers on a squad sheet. Promotion is the reward for hard work; staying up is the real test of a club's ambition and planning.
For Kent fans, the emotions heading into 2027 are genuinely mixed. Promotion is rightly celebrated, but the exits of Cohen and Evison serve as a reminder that building a competitive Division One outfit requires more than momentum — it demands smart, purposeful investment in the months ahead.
