Trio extend Kent Cricket contracts

Calum Haggett and Ivan Thomas have signed long-term extensions to their Kent Cricket contracts after breakthrough seasons.

All-rounder Haggett, 24, has taken 22 wickets and scored more than 300 runs at an average of 25.25 in the LV= County Championship.

The left-handed batsman and right-arm seamer has also claimed six wickets in Kent’s run to the NatWest T20 Blast quarter-finals.

Haggett said: “I am pleased to commit my future to Kent and repay the faith the club has shown in me.

“I feel I have contributed with bat and ball but I am still learning as a cricketer and know there is room for improvement in all aspects of my game but this is the perfect place to do it.

“I feel we have made great strides as a bowling unit this year in all formats and I look forward to a long stay here.”

Greenwich-born Thomas has impressed with the ball, taking 23 Championship wickets and 3 each in the NatWest T20 Blast and Royal London One-Day Cup this season.

The 23-year-old Kent Cricket Academy graduate said: “I’d like to thank the coaches and physios for supporting me through three years of injury and hope to continue taking wickets alongside Matt Coles for years to come.

“There’s a great spirit in the dressing room as the core of the team came through the Academy and it would mean so much to win trophies for my home county.”

Left arm spinner Imran Qayyum, 22, has also extended his contract after a string of impressive performances for the second XI this summer.