Kent youngster Jaydn Denly signs rookie deal

The 17-year-old has played five times for Kent during his fledgling career, averaging 26 with the bat and taking four wickets. Twice capped by England Under-19s, he played in both Youth Tests against Australia in September

Youngster Jaydn Denly has signed his first professional contract with Kent.

The 17-year-old academy graduate made his debut for the county against Surrey in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup in August and has since made a further four appearances in the competition

The left-hander averages 26 with the bat and has taken four wickets with his left-arm spin – striking in all the four innings he has bowled in.

Denly is the nephew and teammate of former England international Joe Denly, and has also twice represented England Under-19s.

He opened in both Youth Tests against Australia at Worcester and Northampton, registering scores of 9, 69, 42 and 74.

^{Denly made five outings for the Spitfires last summer, all occurring in the One-Day Cup (Kent Cricket)}

"I'm thrilled to sign my first contract as a Kent cricketer after coming through the age groups here," said Denly.

"I know this is just the start for me, and I’m hungry for more first-team opportunities going forward into this season."

Kent director of cricket Simon Cook added: "Jaydn has made the step up to the first team successfully last year and became a mainstay of our one-day squad in the back-end of the One-Day Cup.

"He is an exciting young talent that can contribute with bat, ball and in the field – I look forward to seeing him continue to develop as part of our first-team squad for 2024."

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