Stevens keen to give it two more years

Darren Stevens wants to play for Kent for at least another two years.

The 40-year-old all-rounder celebrated his 500th game for the county in the Royal London Cup One-day defeat against Yorkshire last week, but is out of contract at the end of the season.

Stevens said: “The physios have told me things are all good and that I can play for another two seasons comfortably as long as I look after myself.”

He added: “I sat down with (chairman of cricket) Graham Johnson a few weeks ago, he asked me my thoughts.

“I have gone to them and told them the situation, and I have just got to wait for the club to come back to me, and hopefully they will do soon.”

He admitted he had been unaware of the 500 game milestone, adding: “I heard Nick Knight mention it on Sky at the toss, but I didn’t even know. Five hundred games in all formats – I like that and it’s a good effort that.”

Stevens also revealed that his benefit year has proved difficult and admitted it had affected his form.

He added: “It’s been really tough, I am not going to lie, people said it would be one of the toughest years I would have, but I didn’t want to get into that mindset, so we got everything done, planned everything, and I would have hoped it would have run a little bit smoother.

“It has probably shown in my performances, because I have just ticked over really, in the past I have got my runs and wickets, and I am not quite there at the moment. You don’t want your mind being elsewhere, but there are functions to organise, and people to get to.

“The lads said it’s a lot on my plate trying to compete in all forms as well, but I want to finish the year strongly.”

Stevens scored his 45th List A half-century against Yorkshire last Thursday, adding 84 in 13 overs with Alex Blake who fell just after completing a fine 50 himself.

Stevens said: “We needed that innings to give us a bit of impetus, and Blakey came in and took it to them.

“He came in, hit a couple of fours and said he was more comfortable going at the ball.”

He added: “Blakey is a class player and the selectors should be looking at him for the England Lions.

“He is such a clean-hitter and an outstanding fielder, and I just hope they were watching, and saw a bit of magic in him.”

Stevens also praised the performance of Charlie Hartley who claimed the big scalps of both Joe Root and Johnny Bairstow, in his 2- 42, which included 32 dot balls.

“He chatted to the lads before the game and went in with a game-plan,” Stevens said.

“He soaks it up like a sponge, all he wants is to play and do well.

“They were a couple of big wickets and he did the same against Gloucestershire, including Hamish Marshall.

“He has got all the skills, talent and energy, and thrives on it,and has knocked on the door saying ‘give me another go’.”