“I’m really excited to be joining Middlesex, a club moving in a positive direction with some extremely talented young players,” Orr said. “This is a fresh start for me, and I’m looking forward to competing across all three formats, consistently making a difference in the side.”

Peter Fulton, Middlesex’s head coach, said he was “thrilled” to sign Orr. “He is a highly talented player who has already proved he can be successful at this level of cricket,” Fulton said. “We see some real upside to his game and think that a fresh start at Middlesex can help him get back to scoring big runs and providing more competition for places in our top order.”

Bell, a former England Under-19s keeper, signed on an emergency loan deal with Jordan Cox (England), Michael Pepper and Simon Fernandes (both injured) all unavailable. He made three half-centuries in the Championship run-in as Essex narrowly avoided relegation, and was named the club’s player of the month for September.

“I am absolutely delighted to sign permanently with Essex for the next two years,” he said. “It’s an exciting opportunity which I hope to grab with both hands and I can’t wait to get going again with the lads ahead of the 2027 season… I believe that this is an environment that will help me to develop my game further and hopefully contribute to Essex wins and trophies.”

Mike, who has also played for Yorkshire, was in and out of the Leicestershire side last year across formats. “I’m really excited to be joining Glamorgan and starting this new chapter in my career,” he said. “It’s a club with a proud history but the recent achievements, ambition and direction of the club is very exciting.”