Kentish Express Ashford & District
Kent pair land new contracts
Cricket
Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens and spinner James Tredwell have signed contract extensions with the club.
Stevens is Kent’s all-time T20 top runscorer and is closing in on 15,000 First Class runs while he passed 400 First Class wickets in a prolific 2017 season.
It was his best ever year with the ball, taking 62 scalps in Specsavers County Championship, Division 2, including seven five-wicket hauls.
Signed by Kent as a batsman in 2005, more than half of the seamer’s wickets have been achieved in the last four years of his 20-year career.
Stevens, who turns 42 next April, said: “I’m still enjoying my cricket and love playing for Kent.
“It’ll be time to retire when I’m not getting runs and wickets and I feel like I’m still doing my job.
“I’m still up for the challenge and I love competing with the youngsters. As long I’ve still got that fight, I’ll play as long as I can.”
Tredwell – Kent’s beneficiary in 2017 – made his Kent debut in 2000 and will return for his 19th season next year.
The 35-year-old bowler will combine playing with coaching the next generation of Kentish talent in the Academy and age-group squads next term.
Tredwell – who has appeared for England 64 times, being named captain once – said: “I’m delighted to commit my future to the club.
“Having come through the system at Kent, it’s great to be part of the club trying to achieve our ambitions going forward. I’ve had a great testimonial year and I’d like to thank the supporters for their backing for the last 18 years.”
Head coach Matt Walker, who played alongside both players for the club, said: “Darren and James have been wonderful servants to this club and provide a great example for the youngsters coming through, on and off the pitch.
“Darren achieved his best season ever with the ball and his club record knock at Glamorgan was one of his best.
“James has not played as much as he would have liked this year but he is still a fine off-spinner and an excellent mentor for our emerging talent.”
Meanwhile, Stevens collected 5-95 across both innings of last week’s defeat at home to Glamorgan in Kent’s Specsavers County Championship Division 2 finale.
After establishing a first innings lead of 73, Kent were dismissed for a season low total of 115 second time around and slipped to a five-wicket defeat. They finished fifth in the table.
Kent’s player-of the season, voted for by the club’s supporters, went to Joe Denly, who also won the Mike Denness Award as batsman-of-the-season after scoring almost 1,900 runs across three competitions. Stevens won the bowling award.
Sean Dickson collected the Alan Ealham Award as fielder-of-the-year, while, for Kent women, Alice DavidsonRichards was named player-of-theseason with Phoebe Franklin selected as fielder-of-the-year.
Bowler Charlie Hartley is the latest player to leave Kent as the club’s squad is ‘streamlined’ ahead of next season.
The 23-year-old seamer took 20 wickets in 11 matches across four seasons with the club.