Delighted Stevens hoping to extend deal

Darren Stevens hopes to follow up his delight at being awarded a benefit year by Kent by negotiating a contract extension.

He will turn 40 in the opening month of the 2016 season, during which a series of events will raise funds for the all-rounder in what will be his 12th year at the club.

He said: “Next year is a dozen for me – I didn’t think I’d still be playing past 36 so I’m delighted.”

Stevens claimed a careerbest 61 Championship scalps at an average of 20.36 and 26 more in white ball cricket this season while his 1,034 runs in all competitions was actually below-par by his usual lofty standards.

Stevens – whose current deal expires in 12 months’ time – added: “My next discussion with the club is about a contract extension.

“I’d like to feel I’m still holding my own. Nobody’s nudging me for my spot at the moment. I’m enjoying my cricket, loving it, so why not ask?”

Stevens joined the club in 2005 after leaving home county Leicestershire and has consistently been one of Kent’s star performers.

He said: “It’s a great privilege to be awarded a benefit year. I have settled in Kent and am proud to call it my home. My baby son is Kentish and I feel like part of the furniture here.

“The members and supporters have been behind me from day one and taken me as one of their own and I hope they have enjoyed watching me play. I’ve always committed 100% to my cricket and I’m looking forward to making 2016 a memorable year on and off the pitch.”

Stevens arrived at Kent as a batsman and occasional bowler but has developed into a genuine all-rounder and reached 300 First-Class wickets this season.

His best bowling figures of 7-21 came against Surrey at Canterbury in 2011 and he has 12 five-wicket hauls plus one 10-wicket match for the county.

Stevens was Kent player-ofthe-year in 2005 and 2010 as well as winning the Walter Lawrence Trophy for the fastest county century in 2013 for a 44-ball ton against Sussex in their world record YB40 run-chase.

He has scored more than 13,000 First-Class runs with his career-best score of 208 achieved for Kent against Middlesex at Uxbridge in 2005, the same year he was awarded his county cap.

Stevens was the first batsman to score 3,000 runs in English T20 cricket and scored his sixth List A century in 2015 to take his tally to almost 7,000 runs in white ball cricket.

‘I’m still holding my own, I’m enjoying my cricket, loving it, so why not ask?’