Davies a popular winner of Kent award

By Mark Baldwin

Mark Davies, the 31-year-old seamer who admitted he was "in a bad place" before leaving Durham earlier this year after ten seasons with his native club, has won Kent's Player of the Year award to confirm just how successfully he has resurrected his career with his new county.

The likeable Davies has proved an instant hit with his new teammates and Kent supporters, on and off the field, and he was a popular winner of the most coveted prize at the county's end-of-season awards night at Canterbury. Davies took 36 wickets in the County Championship at an average of 19.41, and also played a notable role with the new white ball in one-day cricket.

He also stayed fit for the entire season and has earned an extended contract with Kent, who hope in 2013 to shake off the 'nearly men' tag now attached to them following a season in which they just failed to win promotion to Division One in the Championship, were pipped for a place in the Clydesdale Bank 40 semi-finals by Warwickshire (whom they twice beat in the group stage) on a contentious 'most wins' rule, and exited the Friends Life t20 as a result of being beaten in a controversial South Group game at Essex when two runs were erroneously omitted from the official scorebooks and the scoreboard.

Other winners on the night were: Batsman of the Year: Sam Northeast - 1,359 runs in all competitions; Bowler of the Year: Matt Coles - 74 wickets; Fielder of the Year: James Tredwell - 22 catches; Fitzgerald Jewellers’ One-Day Player of the Season: Rob Key

Jamie Clifford, the Kent chief executive, said: “This has been a year of progress for the club. On the field, much improved fortunes in the County Championship and CB40 have been enjoyed by all, although it was ultimately frustrating to fall short in both competitions. Off the field, we have seen the completion of much of the redevelopment work at the St Lawrence Ground, and I know members and supporters have enjoyed using our wonderful new facilities."


Date: 22/09/2012 11:02:00 by MBaldwin
In: Today | Kent |