Kent complete U-turn as Darren Stevens signs new deal

The new contract will now remain a Kent player through 2020, having initially joined the club in 2005 from Leicestershire

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Darren Stevens has signed a new one-year deal with Kent, bringing to an end weeks of speculation over the 43-year-old’s future.

Since it was initially announced that Stevens would be leaving the county, the allrounder has put together an extraordinary run of form, combining five-wicket hauls in successive matches against Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire, as well as completing a run-a-ball double century at Headingley.

The new contract means that Stevens will now remain a Kent player through 2020, having initially joined the club in 2005 from Leicestershire.

In his last five County Championship matches, he has scored 445 runs at an average of 55.63, including his new career best score of 237. He has also taken 34 wickets in that time, averaging just 12.65 with the ball in the process.

Reflecting on the news, Stevens said: “I’m really pleased to commit myself to another year at this great county. I’m feeling great at the minute and I love playing for Kent.

“I feel like I still have a lot to bring to the team on and off the pitch and I am excited for the year ahead.”

Kent’s director of cricket, Paul Downton, who had earlier hinted that a U-turn was plausible, added: “‘Stevo’ has really excelled in this half of the Championship season, and his phenomenal run of form quite rightly has earned him this new deal.

“He has been a major contributor to our last two wins and has proved he is still a force to be reckoned with in Division One.”

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