Lasting legacy left by Doug

Australian left-arm paceman Doug Bollinger has played his last game for Kent.

Bollinger heads home this weekend to start his preparations to play for the Hobart Hurricanes in next month’s Champions League T20 tournament in India. Hobart qualified for the event after finishing second in Australia’s domestic T20 competition – the Big Bash League – last season. Although Bollinger, 33, was due to spend the full season with Kent, he will head back Down Under with the blessing of chief executive Jamie Clifford. Mr Clifford said: “When Doug signed his contract to play for us, Hobart had not qualified for the Champions League but he told us he would want to play in it should they do.

“Besides, under the ‘ no objections certificate’ that all parties sign when contracting an overseas players, the club is duty bound to release him when requested by his home club or country.

“We were not about to stand in his way even though we have a Royal London One-Day Cup quarter final to play.

“It is what it is in today’s cricketing world. We just have to accept it and thank him for the time he spent with us.

“He has been great for us, both on and off the field and he will leave a lasting legacy here.”

And it seems it won’t only be a legacy Bollinger will leave behind.

Mr Clifford said: “Doug was certainly a character in the dressing room. He’s taught a few how to follow suit.”

Bollinger’s team-mate, allrounder Darren Stevens, agreed the Australian’s presence would be missed in the dressing room.

He said: “It will be a lot quieter – there is no doubt about that.

“It has been a lot of fun having Doug here and I am sure the friendships made will last a lifetime.”

Mr Clifford said competition rules would prevent Bollinger from being replaced but he was confident the youngsters in the squad would stand up and be counted.

He said: “They (the youngsters) have done fantastically to-date. Everyone who has played has contributed at some stage.

“There is no reason why that can’t continue.”