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England international Zak Crawley pens Kent contract extension
13:00, 05 March 2020
updated: 13:12, 05 March 2020
Opener Zak Crawley has signed a contract extension with Kent.
The deal is the latest boost for the club and means the Bromley-born England international batsman has committed his future to Kent until at least the end of their 2022 campaign.
A product of the Kent Academy, Crawley made his debut in 2017 against Essex Eagles in the Royal London One-Day Cup and has made 74 appearances for the club, amassing 3,047 runs at an average of 32.07.
He made his England Test debut in New Zealand last November and the 22-year-old has recorded 164 runs in four Test appearances to date.
"Having played cricket in some capacity for my home county for nearly half of my life, I’m absolutely delighted to commit to Kent for at least three more seasons," said Crawley.
"It feels like we’re beginning to build something special at Kent, and I want to play my part in establishing the club in (County Championship) Division 1 and challenging for trophies."
Kent director of cricket Paul Downton said: "I'm delighted Zak has extended his contract with Kent.
"He has made huge progress over the last two seasons and his recent Test recognition shows the high regard within which he is held by the England selectors.
"Zak has a really bright future ahead of him.
"He is a quick learner and, with his fantastic attitude and work ethic, I'm certain Zak will become a better and better player for Kent and for England."
Crawley's first-class high score of 168 came in 2018 against Glamorgan in Canterbury, in the match which, ultimately, saw Kent earn promotion back to Division 1.
In last season's County Championship campaign, Crawley scored 820 runs at 34.16, his highest total of 111 coming against Nottinghamshire at The Nevill Ground, Tunbridge Wells.
At the 2019 Spitfire Kent Cricket Awards, Crawley picked up Players’ Player of the Year, Batsman of the Year and the Spitfire One-Day Player of the Year gongs, the latter coming after he had scored 307 Vitality Blast runs at a strike-rate of 144.81.
It is the latest tonic for Kent with all-rounder Grant Stewart, Alex Blake and captain Sam Billings having also penned new deals in 2020 while the county have also re-signed New Zealand international bowler Matt Henry since the turn of the year.
