“It hurts,” says Darren Stevens after Kent, the county team which he has called home for almost 17 years, Kent have announced they would not be offering a new contract, one which would have seen him play to the age of 47 and beyond.
“I don’t want to fight any more,” the Englishman told ESPNcricinfo. “I feel like for the last five years I’ve been fighting for a contact where in three of those five years I’ve got Player of the Year, so I don’t know how that actually works.
“It was gut-wrenching and really disappointing, and it still hurts because I feel like I still have a lot to give for Kent cricket, on and off the pitch. But unfortunately, the decision’s been made by the hierarchy.
“I’d like to think I’ve still got the fight in me to churn out a couple of hundreds and a couple of five-fors but unfortunately I’ve not been picked in the four-day stuff. That’s disappointing as well, so I can’t really put a fight up. So yeah, it hurts. It hurts.” added Stevens.
However, his knock of 84 from 65 balls broke Hampshire drams in the semi-final after Kent had succumbed to 20 for 2 inside six overs and 68 for 3 inside 15 chasing 311.
Moreover, Darren will have a final chance to give it all for the Kent, will be the final of the Royal London Cup final against Lancashire at Trent Bridge. All eyes will be on the veteran, a big knock from him, will make sure that Kent and even Darren will finish on a high.
Furthermore, Darren Stevens received a standing ovation for the Kent farewell.
