Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens eyes T20 success in Bangladesh
by Alex Hoad
Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens hopes successful spells playing
T20 cricket in Bangladesh and South Africa will help him hit the
ground running when he returns to Kent for the new season.
The 35-year-old is returning to play in the Bangladesh Premier
League for the second straight year, having helped the Dhaka
Gladiators win the 2012 title.
Stevens, who was sold back to Dhaka for $30,000, flew out to
Bangladesh on Sunday and left a familiar parting gift behind him –
snow.
Stevens (pictured) said: "It’s the first winter I’ve stayed here
in the cold for years. My missus says that every time I go away it
snows and it seems to be true."
He added: "We are a bit of a different side this year. We have
gained some excellent players like Shakib Al Hasan but lost some
others like Azhar.
"I can’t wait to get going. It was a great experience last year
and it would be fantastic if we can repeat the success."
The opening fixture pits Dhaka, who also feature former Kent
paceman Lasath Malinga, against Khulna Royal Bengals on Friday
morning (8am GMT).
After Bangladesh, Stevens plans to take a two-week break in Cape
Town, practicing at former club Pinelands and aiming to secure a
team for the South African T20 competition.
He said: "I’m hoping to find a dig for a couple of weeks, I have
spoken to a couple of people already and we’ll see what
happens.
"I’ll be back in early-March unless I can get a T20 team, in
which case it will be the end of March ready for the new season
with Kent. Hopefully I’ll be back and in good shape and ready to
get going."
How do you rate Stevens as a T20 player? Have your say
below.
16/01/13
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