Kent duo sign new deals

All-rounder Darren Stevens, along with fast bowler Robbie Joseph, has signed a new deal to keep him at Canterbury

Kent have received a boost with the announcement that important squad members Robbie Joseph and Darren Stevens have both signed contract extensions.

Pace bowler Joseph and all-rounder Stevens have both agreed deals which commit them to the county until the end of the 2011 season.

England Lions bowler Joseph suffered an injury-hit season in 2009, playing in only four LV= County Championship games due to a shoulder injury as Kent secured promotion into Division One.

Stevens, a solid middle-order batsman who arrived at Canterbury from Leicestershire in 2004, chalked up 857 first-class runs last season as well as topping the Twenty20 Cup averages with 356 runs at 56.

The announcement comes after Kent released all-rounder Justin Kemp but secured extensions to the contracts of captain Rob Key, batsman Martin van Jaarsveld and wicketkeeper Geraint Jones.

Kent team director Paul Farbrace said: “We are delighted that Darren and Robbie have extended their contracts with the club.

“Both are quality players and, with Rob Key, Martin van Jaarsveld and Geraint Jones recently extending their deals, the nucleus of the team is now taking shape.

“As a club, it's great for us to know that the players want to commit themselves moving forward.

“It's also exciting from the team point of view because it puts us in a strong position going into the 2010 season."