Griffiths released KENT STAY HAMPERED BY INJURIES

David Griffiths will not be offered a new deal after an injury-blighted three-year stint at the club.

The 31-year-old former Hampshire fast bowler has impressed in bursts for Kent but has found fourday chances limited and his white-ball opportunities hampered by injury.

Griffiths collected eyecatching figures of 4-22 against Middlesex in the Natwest T20 Blast, 3-49 against New Zealand A in a 50-over match.

Hi s be s t r ed- bal l figures came on his last appearance in the County Championship Division 2, claiming 6-63 in the final game of the 2014 season against Gloucestershire.

Griffiths said: “Kent has a fantastic team with some great characters and I wish them all the best for next season and I hope our paths cross again in the future.”

Kent Cricket Academy graduate Sam Weller has also left the club.

The 21-year-old has made six First Class appearances for Oxford MCCU but did not play for Kent in his two years as a professional at the club.

Me a n w h i l e Sam Northeast and Suzie Bates were named Kent’s male and female players of the year at the Spitfire Kent Cricket Awards on Saturday night.

Both players also won the batting prize after topping the run-scoring charts this summer. Kent captain Northeast hit more than 2,000 runs in all formats for the second straight year, while New Zealand skipper Bates starred with bat and ball as Kent’s women won the double.

Matt Coles and Megan Belt each took home the bowler-of-the-year prize for the second season in a row as top wicket-takers in all formats.

Alex Blake repeated the feat of 2015 by being awarded the men’s fielder -of-the-year prize and Lydia Greenway picked up the women’s accolade.

Daniel Bell-drummond was the Iconic by Fitzgerald one-day player-of-the-year after a number of matchwinning performances.