Darren Stevens: I’m now a Man of Kent

Darren Stevens celebrates his 40^th birthday on Saturday on the eve of Kent’s first home Specsavers County Championship match against Glamorgan and shows no sign of stopping yet, writes Mark Pennell.

“It’s been a busy start to the summer with playing and kicking off my benefit, but it’s all been a pleasant distraction,” he said.

“We had 320-odd sit down at my benefit launch lunch in Maidstone, and then we sold out with 25 teams at my first golf day.

“I was chuffed to bits with the launch and after 12 years with the club I guess I can now officially call myself a Man of Kent.

“It couldn’t have gone much better so far and all the brilliant help I’ve received means I’ve been left to get on with my cricket, which is my job after all.

“I scored a couple of 60s in the opening two pre-season games but was on the wrong end of a couple of leg-before decisions after that. But, like the rest of the lads have said, I just hope that’s my couple for the season!”

And Stevens, who hit his first class career best of 208 against Glamorgan at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in his first season with his adopted county, will be hoping to mark his special birthday with another landmark contribution.

“I’ve got a pretty good record against the Welsh and it’s the first home game of my benefit too, so it’d be nice if I could do something to remember the game by,” he said, with a wry smile.