Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Debutant Zak is the perfect role model
Zak Crawley has been hailed an inspiration for the next generation of cricketers by his England team-mate Joe Denly.
The Kent pair featured in the second Test match against New Zealand in Hamilton this week, although both missed out with the bat.
Denly was dismissed for four by former Kent team-mate Matt Henry in England’s first innings with Crawley contributing just a single. It was a 10th Test appearance for Denly, who was given the honour of handing his Kent team-mate his first cap before play got under way. Denly said: “Last night when I got asked to do this I was incredibly nervous, but today very excited.
“I remember not so long ago when I got my cap. “Outside of my family, this was the most special day of my life.
“Today Zak, that’s your day. Not only special for you but special for your family. I know your mum and dad, Terry and Lisa, and your sister India will be watching all through the night back home.
“And I think the biggest compliment I could give you, being a parent myself, is how proud I would be watching how you conduct yourself on and off the field. “Incredibly well mannered, a great laugh to be around, incredibly hard-working, but most importantly incredibly humble as well.
“At the age of 21 I think you are already an inspiration for the younger generation of aspiring sportsmen.
“So today mate, I wish you all the luck in the world. And for the rest of your international career. Good luck.”
Kent spinner Imran Qayyum has signed a new two-year contract at the club.
The deal keeps the 26-year-old at the county until the end of the 2021 season.
“I’m really pleased that I’ve extended my time here at a club with such a good group of lads on and off the field,” said Qayyum. “Last year I showed that I can take wickets at home or away in limited overs cricket and I’m always looking to improve my game.” Qayyum’s stand-out performance last season was his best-ever T20 figures of 5-21 against Somerset in July.
He ended the T20 Blast competition with 12 wickets at an average of less than 19, and an economy rate below seven and a half runs per over.
‘We believe Imran will continue to develop his game and become a real match-winner’
Qayyum took five wickets in eight Royal London One-day Cup outings last summer and will face competition for his place in the side from new recruit Hamidullah Qadri, who joined from Derbyshire in September. Kent director of cricket Paul Downton said: “I’m delighted that Imran has extended his contract with Kent until the end of 2021. “His performances over the last two years have made him a regular in our white ball side. He has shown his ability to get good players out on a number of occasions, and he’s working very hard on improving his consistency. “We believe Imran will continue to develop his game and become a real match-winner.”