Kent sign Blackheath youngster onto Academy

Kent County Cricket Club has today completed the signing of seam bowler Ivan Thomas onto the Academy. The 19 year-old plays in the Kent League for Blackheath and will be a part of the Kent Academy for the 2011 senior programme.

Last season the right-arm seam bowler took more than 30 wickets for Blackheath“s second team as they won the league.

Commenting on the signing, Kent“s Academy Director, Phil Relf, said: “Ivan has worked really hard this winter to develop his fitness and skill levels. Ever since he performed really well for our under 17 side in 2008 we have kept a close eye on his progress. He bowls a consistent length, that challenges good players, and his height allows him to gain steep bounce on good wickets. We are keen to have him fully involved with our Academy so that we can work closely with him and Blackheath to make sure he keeps improving. At 19 he is one of our older players but, having had time out of the game through injury, Ivan is still relatively inexperienced with a lot of room for development. We plan to give him some professional staff sessions in the New Year, where he will have a great chance to enhance his game.”

Chris Swadkin, Chairman of the Junior Section at Blackheath Cricket Club, added: “We are delighted that Ivan is getting the opportunity to join Kent. He is a good natural athlete, bowls at good pace and has a very good arm out in the deep. He bowled very effectively for our second team last season and will move up to the first team in 2011. He has put in a great deal of hard work and effort and now has a real chance of further developing, under the watchful eye of the Kent coaches.”