Walker lands benefit

Matthew Walker has been awarded a benefit by Kent for 2008.

The 33-year-old batsman, who joined the staff in 1992, made his debut in 1994 and was capped in 2000, is rewarded for his lenghty service at Canterbury.

Walker was Kent’s leading run-scorer in the County Championship last season - he scored 1,419 at an average of 61 - and boasts more than 9,000 at first-class level.

A former England Under-19 captain, he holds the record for the highest individual score for Kent at Canterbury - 275 not out against Somerset in 1996.