Middleton is delighted to announce the signing of Canterbury quick Fraser Sheat for their 2023 Sussex Cricket League campaign.

Sheat is a promising seam-bowling all-rounder playing for Canterbury in New Zealand domestic cricket.

The kiwi pacer always seemed destined for the big time having dominated through the age groups. In 2016, he was the National 1st XI Cup Player of the Tournament and was awarded the NZC Young Cricketer of the Year.

A year later, Sheat made his Canterbury debut in both the Plunket Shield (first-class), and Ford Trophy (List A) competitions, playing alongside the likes of Blackcaps stars Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls. He is now into his fifth Canterbury contract and has forged quite a reputation.

Sheat became the fastest Canterbury player to take 50 first-class wickets and now boasts 82 poles at 25.18 in 25 Plunket Shield matches.

Over the past few seasons, Sheat has really excelled, bagging 18 wickets at 20.38 (2019/20), and 27 wickets at 20.92 (2020/21). His contributions during the latter, including 2 five-wicket hauls, were instrumental in Canterbury’s Plunket Shield title that season.

Sheat’s success to date has been with the ball but he aspires to become a genuine all-rounder in domestic cricket. He boasts a highest first-class score of 60* and has been involved in two record partnerships for Canterbury, namely the highest 9th wicket and 10th wicket partnerships – 138* v CD in 2021/22 (contribution 60*), and 57* v Auckland (List A) in 2017/18 (contribution 35*).

The Canterbury all-rounder is a quality prospect who is now looking to impress abroad having signed with Middleton for their 2023 Sussex Cricket League campaign.