After 17 years with the Club, Darren Stevens’ time as a Kent player will come to an end after the conclusion of the 2022 season.

The 46 year-old all-rounder joined the Club from Leicestershire in 2005, & has since gone on to be a part of numerous successful Kent sides.

He was awarded Men’s Cap 200 in his debut season, & has cemented himself as a true cult hero amongst Kent’s Members & supporters, winning the Club’s Men’s Player of the Year Award, as voted for by Kent Members, on numerous occasions.

Famed for his big hitting with the bat, paired with his skilful right-arm medium bowling that developed later in his career, Stevens has now played over 630 times for Kent across all formats of the game.

With over 22,000 runs & 43 centuries for the Club, many of the right hander’s exploits with the bat will live long in the memory of Kent supporters.

His 205* on the final day of the 2013 season saw Kent successfully chase down 418 to secure victory over Lancashire, & in 2019 Stevens blasted a career-best 237 from just 225 deliveries against Yorkshire in a 433-run victory.

Against the white-ball, ‘Stevo’ was a kingpin in Kent Spitfires’ successful 2007 & 2021 T20 sides, lifting England & Wales’ domestic T20 trophy on two occasions as a Kent Spitfire, albeit 14 years apart.

He put Surrey to the sword in the 2015 T20 Blast with 90 from only 39 deliveries, & finishes his time as a Spitfire with a Kent T20 batting average of 27.50.

In one-day cricket, his 147 against Glamorgan stunned Swansea, with ten fours & 14 sixes raining down in South Wales as Stevens raced to his List A top score, which was a Club record at the time.

With ball in hand, Stevens has over 850 wickets as a Kent player averaging 26.00 across all formats, despite joining Kent as very much a top order batter.

He ripped apart former side Leicestershire with 8-75 back in 2017, & also finished the 2020 Bob Willis Trophy with a bowling average of just 19.73. Stevens has picked up Kent Cricket’s Men’s Bowler of the Year Award on multiple occasions.

His contributions for the county over 17 seasons were a huge determining factor in him being named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year for 2021 – the 30th player male or female to receive the accolade as a Kent cricketer.

Also effective as a bowler in white-ball cricket, Stevens destroyed Surrey at The County Ground, Beckenham with 6-25 in 2018’s Royal London One-Day Cup – the year Kent made the Final at Lord’s.

Having bowled in both 2007 & 2021 T20 Finals, the right-arm seamer concludes his Kent career with 110 wickets as a Spitfire in the format – just ten wickets away from surpassing James Tredwell’s all-time record.

“It’s bittersweet that my time at Kent has finally come to an end after such a long run and where I am so proud to have lived out my boyhood dream with such a phenomenal club. The memories will stay with me forever.

“I have been fortunate to have played with some of the greats of the game and created lifelong friendships. I am so grateful for being able to do what I love for so long and during that time achieve so many success stories for both myself and the Club.

“There are so many people to thank that contributed to my time here, David Fulton & Simon Willis for giving me the opportunity to represent the club back in 2005. Keysie for giving me the new ball and beginning my bowling career. All my team mates over the years, and the Kent employees that have helped me in all different ways.

“Last but by no means least the fans. How you have stuck by me over the years – celebrating my highs and supporting me through my lows, your support has been overwhelming and something I will always be grateful for so thank you!

“I’m looking forward to the next chapter but looking back I am very proud of the one I’ve just completed. Stevo x”

Kent’s Director of Cricket, Paul Downton, said: “Over the last 25 years Darren Stevens has been an inspirational cricketer.

“His ability to time a cricket stroke and his subtle skill with the ball have made him a crowd favourite wherever he has played. His numbers are remarkable in the modern era, which, along with his ability to influence and win matches, make him a true Kent legend.

“As a Kent player for over 17 years, he has won multiple awards, accolades and trophies which will be a part of the Club’s history forever. He will quite rightly be remembered as one of the players that defined a generation of Kent Cricket.

“It is unthinkable that a player of his talent was never selected to play international cricket.”

The Club is working with Stevens to ensure that his contributions as a Kent player are suitably recognised and will provide further information in due course.

Stevens, despite leaving Kent, has stated his desire to carry on playing if possible and it’s believed he has been offered a playing / coaching deal elsewhere.

Everyone associated with Kent Cricket has wished Darren the very best for the future, and he will always be welcome at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence on any occasion.

Those sentiments are echoed by the whole team at Kent Sports News. Thanks for the memories Stevo!