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Darren Stevens named Club Player of the Year at Kent end-of-season awards

Darren Stevens was met by a standing ovation as he scooped the top prize at Friday night's end-of-season awards presentation at The Spitfire Ground.

The 43-year-old was named 2019 Club Player of the Year, as voted for by the Kent members and supporters.

It glossed what had been an incredible finish to the season from the veteran all-rounder, who played his way into another one-year deal a matter of months after being told he would not be offered a new contract at the club.

Kent's Darren Stevens. Picture: Keith Gillard
Kent's Darren Stevens. Picture: Keith Gillard

Stevens registered 597 runs in County Championship Division 1 this season with a strike rate of 71.67 and a best of 237 in the record-breaking victory over Yorkshire at Headingley.

He also finished with 52 wickets and a best of 5-20, that also coming in the game against Yorkshire just a week after he had taken 10 wickets in the win at Nottinghamshire.

Zak Crawley was also a big winner for the men's team on the night, claiming the One-Day Player of the Season, Batsman of the Year and Players' Player of the Season.

An impressive campaign saw the 21-year-old finished as his side's second highest scorer in Division 1 with 820 runs and a best of 111.

He has also produced a team-high 394 runs and a best of 120 in the Royal London One-Day Cup, as well as 307 runs and a team high score of 89.

Matt Milnes picked up Bowler of the Year in his first season at Canterbury having led the team with 55 wickets in Division 1, producing best figures of 5-68.

Heino Kuhn was meanwhile named Fielder of the Year for the second successive season following his 23 catches across all formats.

Zak Crawley on the way to his half century against Surrey. Picture:Ady Kerry
Zak Crawley on the way to his half century against Surrey. Picture:Ady Kerry

Maxine Blythin was recognised as the 2019 Kent Women Player of the Year following her role in the team's County Championship triumph.

She had produced 340 runs and a best of 51 not out in 13 games across all formats, with 165 of those coming in Division 1 and 175 in T20 matches.

Megan Belt was voted both Players' Player of the Year and Bowler of the Year on the back of her 16 wickets in all formats, including 12 in County Championship.

Skipper Tammy Beaumont received the Fielder of the Year award after her 11 catches across all competitions, seven of which were in the field with four behind the stumps.

Batter of the Year went to Fran Wilson for her 335 runs at an average of 55.83 and top score of 83.

Fran Wilson in action for Kent in the Royal London Women's One Day Cup. Picture: Ady Kerry
Fran Wilson in action for Kent in the Royal London Women's One Day Cup. Picture: Ady Kerry

The night also saw Harry Podmore and Crawley receive the 218th and 219th County caps, respectively.

Podmore has produced 115 wickets in 46 appearances since signing for Kent at the start of last year, including 52 in Division 1 this season.

Having made his first team debut at 19 against Essex in May 2017, Crawley has since tallied 3,047 runs in 74 games across all formats and a best of 168 against Glamorgan last year.

Such has been Crawley's rise to prominence that has was recently named in the England Test squad alongside Kent teammate Joe Denly ahead of this winter's tour of New Zealand.

There was also a farewell to Mitch Claydon as the fast bowler leaves to join Sussex after seven years at the club.

He, too, went out to a standing ovation having established himself as a popular figure in the dressing room, with his teammates sharing their best memories of him on a video prepared by the media team.

Adam Riley's time at Kent was also remembered by his Kent friends and colleagues after the spinner was released back in June after nine seasons.

Read more: All the latest Kent sport news

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