Ball And Bell-Drummond Extend Kent Contracts

Ball And Bell-Drummond Extend Kent Contracts

Daniel Bell-Drummond is likely to form an opening partnership with captain Rob Key for Kent in 2012.

©Action Images

Kent Academy duo Adam Ball and Daniel Bell-Drummond have extended their existing contracts with the club by three and two-years respectively.

Both men featured for England Under-19s last summer and are expected to play an increased role for Kent in 2012 following several high-profile departures over the winter.

Left-arm seamer Ball signed his first professional contract with Kent at the age of 16 and took 36 wickets in all first-team cricket last year.

He said of the news, “I’m extremely pleased to have extended my contract with the club. I have learnt a great deal this season. I feel extremely well supported by the club and I am pleased to have the opportunity to study for my degree at the University of Kent whilst remaining fully committed to the club for the next three years.”

The excellent progress made by Bell-Drummond and Ball is a feather in the cap for Kent’s high performance director, Simon Willis, who said, “These two lads have developed through the Kent cricket system – they have worked extremely hard and are an excellent example of what can be achieved through hard work and determination. I’m extremely pleased that they have extended their contracts, and have the opportunity to develop and realise their potential as part of the Kent cricket squad.”

In other county news, Scotland have confirmed that they will be playing two of their Clydesdale Bank 40 fixtures at Uddingston next year after the pitch at the Mannofield ground in Aberdeen was damaged by a suspected act of vandalism. The Saltires' other home matches will be played at The Grange in Edinburgh.

And to clarify an article from yesterday, Paul Nixon has not yet signed a contract to coach Pune Warriors as was previously stated. The offer is just one of the options available to the 41 year-old and nothing has yet been confirmed.

© Cricket World 2011