Ex-England bowler Dernbach to play for Italy in T20 World Cup Europe qualifiers

Former England international Jade Dernbach has been named in Italy's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup Europe qualifiers.

Dernbach last played international cricket for England at the 2014 T20 World Cup, picking up three wickets at an average of 33.00.

The 35-year-old qualifies for Italy through his mother and joins fellow county players Gareth Berg and Grant Stewart in the 14-man squad.

Berg, who currently plays for Northamptonshire, is Italy's captain and head coach and has an Italian passport through his mother's heritage.

Stewart, meanwhile, was part of Kent's recent T20 Blast triumph and declared for Italy earlier this year as his mother is Italian.

Dernbach has now become the latest county cricketer to decided to represent Italy, having struggled for game time at Surrey over the past two seasons.

Dernbach has made just five appearances for the county in that time and his last competitive game came in London Spirit's three wicket defeat to Welsh Fire in The Hundred in August.

He will be leaving Surrey at the end of the season, having picked up 585 wickets in 331 appearances for the club in all formats.

"I would like to thank Surrey for everything they have done for me, this has been my home for the best part of 20 years and I will certainly miss it," Dernbach said.

"It's the right time for me to take on a new challenge as my opportunities would have been limited at Surrey but I wish all the players the best of luck for the future and look forward to returning to the Kia Oval in the near future."

Surrey's director of cricket Alec Stewart said: "On behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to thank Jade for everything he's done and achieved for Surrey – he is a real club man through and through and has been outstanding in the way he's played his cricket.

"When wearing the three feathers on his chest he has always been fully committed and has offered his knowledge and experience to all his teammates.

"He leaves with our very best wishes and will always be warmly welcomed back at The Kia Oval in the future. Thank you Jader, you'll be missed."

Dernbach made a total of 58 appearances for England in white ball cricket and picked up a total of 70 wickets.

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