Kent Cricket have announced that opener Zak Crawley has signed an extension to his contract for the next three summers with the Club.

A product of the Kent Cricket Academy, Bromley-born Crawley made his Kent debut in 2017 against Essex Eagles in the Royal London One-Day Cup, and has made 74 appearances for the Club to date, amassing 3,047 runs at an average of 32.07.

The right-hander’s first-class high score of 168 came in 2018 against Glamorgan at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, in the match that ultimately saw Kent promoted back to Division One.

In 2019’s County Championship season, Crawley scored 820 runs at 34.16, his highest total of 111 coming against Nottinghamshire at The Nevill Ground, Tunbridge Wells.

At the 2019 Spitfire Kent Cricket Awards, Crawley picked up Players’ Player of the Year, Batsman of the Year, and Spitfire One-Day Player of the Year gongs, the latter coming after 307 Vitality Blast runs at a strike-rate of 144.81. Crawley recorded 40 boundaries in the tournament, Kent Spitfires’ highest individual total.

Crawley made his England Test debut in New Zealand in November, and has recorded 164 runs in four Test appearances to date. The 22-year-old’s current Test best of 66 was scored against South Africa at The Wanderers this January.

On committing his future to Kent, Crawley said: “Having played cricket in some capacity for my home county for nearly half of my life, I’m absolutely delighted to commit to Kent for at least three more seasons.

“It feels like we’re beginning to build something special at Kent and I want to play my part in establishing the club in the first division and challenging for trophies.”

Kent’s Director of Cricket, Paul Downton, said: “I am delighted Zak has extended his contract with Kent.

“He has made huge progress over the last two seasons and his recent Test recognition shows the high regard within which he is held by the England selectors.

“Zak has a really bright future ahead of him.  He is a quick learner and with his fantastic attitude and work ethic I am certain Zak will become a better and better player for Kent and for England.”