Kent Cricket have announced that New Zealand International fast bowler Adam Milne will be re-joining the club for a third successive Vitality Blast campaign in 2019, subject to regulatory approval, including an No Objection Certificate from New Zealand Cricket.

The 26-year-old was named part of Wisden and CricViz’s T20 Team of Year for 2018, with both praising his ability to “bowl in phases when batsmen are at their most aggressive but managing to maintain the holy grail of T20 bowling: a low economy rate and a low strike rate.”

In last season’s Vitality Blast, the right-armer took 13 wickets in 41.3 overs, conceding just 297 runs at an economy rate of 7.16 and a strike rate of just 19.15.

Milne also holds the club record for best bowling figures in a T20 fixture, with 5-11 against Somerset at Taunton in 2017.

For his country, the New Zealander has taken 25 wickets in 73 overs with a strike rate of 17.40 in T20Is.

On re-joining the Kent Spitfires, Milne said: “I’m delighted to come back to Kent for the Vitality Blast in 2019.

“Last year we came close to reaching Vitality Blast Finals Day and there is a real belief in this squad that we can challenge again this season.

“I’m looking forward to contributing to a team of talented players so hungry for success.”

Kent Cricket’s Director of Cricket, Paul Downton, said: ‘Adam is an outstanding T20 bowler with the ability to take early wickets in the power play and to bowl vital overs at the death. He is a match winner.

“Securing him for a third successive season is testament to the how much the squad and supporters enjoy having him here and his passion for playing for Kent.”