THREE SACA PLAYERS JOIN KENT CRICKET ON COUNTY’S ACADEMY+ PROGRAMME

SACA can today confirm that three of the Academy's players have joined Kent Cricket on their Academy+ programme.

Left-handed batter Savin Perera, right-handed batting all-rounder Ismail Mohammed, and left-arm quick Chinmay Mullapudi will all join the Kent programme immediately and will be looking to impress at the county’s Canterbury headquarters over the coming winter months.

Kent’s innovative Academy+ programme bridges the gap for players who have outgrown the County Academy set-up but haven’t yet been awarded a rookie contract - recognising that players develop at different rates and at different stages of their careers. The programme ensures that Kent can stay connected with players, providing them with elite level coaching and training over the winter months ahead of them progressing into the Club’s Second Eleven ranks.

Savin Perera (Left) - Ismail Mohammed (Centre) - Chinmay Mullapudi (Right)

The hugely talented Perera, a former Middlesex Academy player with England Under-19 experience to his name has shone for SACA since joining the programme and has shown he has what it takes to perform on the big stage. Over the last two years alone, his standout performances include an unbeaten 150* for Lancashire on trial against Essex in June 2024 and an array of impressive knocks for SACA, including 114 against Warwickshire in April 2025, 159 against Somerset in May 2025, and 137 against Hampshire the following month.

Mohammed also has a series of impressive performances under his belt, both for SACA and when trialling with Professional County Clubs, not least of all the 100 he hit off just 107 deliveries for SACA against Warwickshire at the end of the 2025 season. He proved his abilities with both bat and ball when playing for Warwickshire, hitting 82 and then an unbeaten 39* against Nottinghamshire, before then taking 4 for 33 with his off-spin. Further knocks of 72, 54, 53 and 55*, for Warwickshire, and a seven-wicket haul in their match against Sussex, again showed his class as an all-rounder at a higher level.

Mullapudi, like Perera, is a product of Middlesex youth system, and he joins the Kent Academy + programme following a successful year with SACA in which he has featured for numerous counties Second Elevens. With his left-arm pace, Mullapudi offers any pace attack something different, and he’ll be looking to build on a stellar year with SACA and impress within the Kent Academy + programme over the coming months.

Tom Brown, Founder and Managing Director of SACA, commented:

“We are thrilled that Savin, Ismael and Chinmay are being given this opportunity by Kent Cricket, and the three of them have a wonderful opportunity to showcase their talents over the coming months.

“Each of them are outstanding cricketers in their own right and thoroughly deserve their chances. I have little doubt that they will seize their opportunities with both hands and relish the chance to prove their credentials to the Kent coaching staff.

“We wish them every success this winter and look forward to hearing of their progress.”

Kent’s Director of Cricket, Simon Cook, said:

“Our Academy+ programme is an important part of our talent development pathway, designed for players who have outgrown the Academy but find themselves in a space where they aren’t quite ready for a full‑time contract or are temporarily blocked by our current squad make‑up.

“We support Academy+ players by providing facilities and coaching, giving later developers the platform, guidance, and high‑quality training they need to keep progressing, whether that leads to opportunities here at Kent or the chance to showcase themselves to other clubs.

“The initiative also provides a vital platform at the top end of our pathway system. We’re excited to welcome Savin, Ismail and Chinmay into our Academy+ programme for 2026.

“We also hope that players from our new State School Sixth Form Cricket Programme, launching in September 2026, along with those involved in our partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University to deliver a cricket scholarship programme, will benefit from these aligned opportunities.”