Darren Stevens looks to bright future after new contract and awards

Tuesday 7th October 2014

Men’s First Team

Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens will enjoy a well-earned rest this winter after committing his long-term future to the club.
The 38-year-old joined the county from his home county Leicestershire in 2005 and has scored 25 centuries for Kent and 61 fifties in his decade at the club.
He put pen to paper on a new deal last month and is optimistic he can help the club and younger players win honours.
Stevens said: “I am chuffed to bits to be signing a new contract here. Kent’s my home now.
“I said to friends and family when I came here in 2005 that I’d be happy to play ‘til I was 36 so I am happy to be still playing.
“I still feel fit at the end of a long, tiring season and I’m looking forward to staying and helping the younger lads develop from good first-class cricketers to push on and play for their country.
“As a senior player, I can help the coaches with guiding the younger players especially out in the middle where they learn the trade.”
He narrowly missed out on the Professional Cricketers’ AssociationFTIMost Valuable Player, for his contributions with bat and ball this season.
In 89 days of cricket, Stevens scored 1,396 runs and took 83 wickets in 41 matches in all formats.
He won the Fitzgerald Jewellers’ One-Day Performer of the Year prize at the Spitfire Kent Cricket Awards 2014 before being named PCA Natwest T20 Blast Player of the Year last week.
The right-hander and medium pacer has won Player of the Year three times in his decade at the club in 2005, 2010 and 2013.