O’Riordan signs professional deal

Kent Cricket is delighted to announce that former Kent Cricket Academy scholar Marcus O’Riordan has put pen to paper on a deal that will see the 21-year-old join the professional playing staff until the end of the season, with the option to join permanently for a further two years.

The off-spinning all-rounder joined the Kent Cricket Academy in 2014 as a 16-year-old after playing age group cricket for Kent, and was in the Academy system at the same time as current Kent stars: Zak Crawley, Ollie Robinson, Grace Gibbs and Tash Farrant.

In 2013, the right-hander represented London & East of England Under 15s at the prestigious Bunbury festival.

Pembury-born O’Riordan made his Kent Second XI debut that year, making appearances in the Second XI Championship and Second XI Trophy.

This season, O’Riordan was part of the Kent Second XI side that lifted the Second XI Trophy at The County Ground, Beckenham in June, taking 4-43 in the final against Durham.

In that tournament, he took 11 wickets in six matches at an average of 21.63, also averaging 36.00 with the bat.

In seven Second XI Championship matches so far this year, O’Riordan has taken 21 wickets at 28.95 and also averaged 31.85 with the bat, including a 123-ball century against Middlesex that included 16 fours.

On joining Kent Cricket, O’Riordan said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining my home county as a professional. It’s an exciting time to be involved with Kent Cricket.

“Having worked my way through the age groups and the Academy here, it’s a proud moment for me to have the opportunity to join the professional staff. I can’t wait to represent Kent at the highest level.”

Director of Cricket Paul Downton said: “Marcus is a great prospect and it’s encouraging that we have another exciting, home-grown talent that has emerged from our Academy programme.

“He has made an impact with the Second XI this season and fully deserves his opportunity. His signing further strengthens the group of promising young players that we have within the squad.

“He is a three dimensional cricketer in both red and white ball cricket and I am really pleased that Marcus has joined us as we aim to build a squad capable of challenging the best opposition.”