Darren Stevens signs new Kent contract

Earlier this year, Stevens became the first player in Kent’s history to achieve the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in all three formats of the game

Darren Stevens isn’t done yet: the 45-year-old allrounder has signed a new contract with Kent, keeping him at the county until at least the end of the 2022 season.

Since arriving at Canterbury in 2005, he has made more than 600 appearances for the club across all formats, scoring over 21,000 runs and picking up more than 800 wickets.

He was set for release midway through the 2019 season but responded with a run of remarkable performances, including a double-hundred against Yorkshire, that persuaded the county to reward him with a new deal. Since the second half of that campaign, he has taken 91 wickets at 15.30 apiece in first-class cricket, including 10 five-wicket hauls.

Earlier this year, Stevens became the first player in Kent’s history to achieve the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in all three formats of the game.

Stevens said: “I’m thrilled to commit to another season with Kent and continuing my really good form.

“I’ve worked hard to continue to earn my place in the Kent playing XI across all formats this year, and I’m feeling fit and strong to continue to make more contributions as a Kent player.

“There’s a great group of lads here and we’re all focused on delivering good performances and winning more games of cricket for Kent.”

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He was named as one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the year ahead of this season, and he has maintained the form that earned him that prize: he is Kent’s leading wicket-taker in 2021 and is topping the batting averages as well.

Kent director of cricket Paul Downton added: “Darren continues to be an invaluable member of the Kent team and I’m delighted that he will be with us for another season in 2022.

“Darren’s skills are very underrated. Over the last couple of seasons, the pitches at Canterbury have regularly achieved the top mark of ‘very good’, which has seen Darren become even more effective as a bowler. He has also worked really hard on his batting to trust his defence again. The results have been spectacular.

“The fact that he has worked his way back into our Vitality Blast team for the first time in four years is a huge testament to his hunger to keep improving and his desire to keep on playing the game he loves.

“Stevo has rightly earned his hero status amongst not only Kent members and supporters, but fans of cricket in general, and I’m sure this news will be greeted with the congratulations it deserves.”