Stevens helps steer Kent to T20 title and vows to carry on ‘as long as eyes stay good’
Darren Stevens insisted retirement remained a long way from his thoughts after Kent were crowned Vitality Blast champions courtesy of a helping hand from their evergreen all-rounder on Finals Day.
At an age when contemporaries wrapped up their careers a long time ago, Stevens, 45, continues to defy Father Time, averaging almost 50 with the bat and 20 with the ball in this year’s County Championship.
He has had to battle to maintain a presence in Kent’s Twenty20 side but, after featuring in 11 of their 14 group-stage matches this year, he was axed for the quarter-final win over Birmingham Bears last month.
Restored to the line-up at Edgbaston on Saturday, Stevens responded with a masterful 47 not out from 28 balls in the semi-final win over Sussex, before Kent overcame Somerset in the final.
It was a second T20 title for Kent, and Stevens had been involved in their first in 2007. He also helped Leicestershire to glory in 2004 and his appetite for winning trophies is undimmed.
“I’ve been gutted over the past four years not getting a chance, but it’s been a strong side to get in,” he said. “I tried pushing my case, couldn’t get in, and then this winter I really pushed on.
“The way I played in the championship this year, where I’ve been
quite aggressive, it showed that I’ve still got the shots in me, and I’ve definitely got the desire to play white-ball cricket and win trophies.
“I’m still playing the game because it’s all about winning trophies. It showed that I’ve still got it in there. To walk away with a trophy is unbelievable. I can’t explain it.
“The older you get, I feel like I keep fighting to get myself in the side. I’ve got no interest in stopping. As long as I keep myself fit, look after my body, as long as the eyes stay good, I’ll be all right.”
Stevens admitted his irritation at being overlooked at the last-eight stage three weeks ago. “Was I disappointed? Let’s just say… you wanted to be a fly on the wall,” he said.