Bright young hopefuls sign new deals with the club

Kent County Cricket Club has shown its determination to build a bright future by signing a group of its most talented prospects.

Ashley Shaw, Sam Billings, Chris Piesley and Adam Riley have all agreed new deals at the St Lawrence Ground.

Fast-bowler Ashley Shaw, who underwent a successful operation on his shins at the end of last season, has signed a contract extension, until the end of the 2012 season.

Former England under-19 wicketkeeper Sam Billings, a product of the successful Kent academy, has also agreed a two-year deal, taking him through to the end of the 2012 season.

Fellow academy graduates, Chris Piesley and Adam Riley, have both signed one-year agreements.

Piesley, an 18 year-old left-hand batsman, played for Kent against the touring Pakistan side last summer and scored 43 in the second innings.

Riley, an 18 year-old off-spin bowler, finished as leading wicket taker for the second team in 2010.

Kent“s Team Director, Paul Farbrace, was naturally happy to extend the future of the club’s best emerging young players. He said: "I am delighted that Ashley has committed his future to the club as I believe he has an exciting future ahead of him. I“m looking forward to him being fully fit at the start of next season as I am sure that he can continue to show the promise that he did in his outings for the club in 2010. I am also very pleased that the three youngsters have signed. This is a further sign of the hard work and commitment that our coaches put in to help young cricketers throughout the Kent pathway. These are talented, home-grown young cricketers who have all progressed through our highly acclaimed Academy. All four players have the potential to achieve a great deal. I am sure that during this period, they will be doing everything to make an impact at the club."