Kent offer Smith new deal

Kent have offered Ed Smith a new contract following rumours linking the former England batsman with a move to local rivals Middlesex for 2005.

Smith played three Tests for England against South Africa in 2003 following a prolific domestic season, but struggled following a debut 64 and despite touring India with England 'A' the following winter and has slipped out of the national picture.

He's scored over 8000 runs for Kent and Cambridge University at an average of over 40, with a top score of 213, made in a 2003 season that included six other centuries in just 13 Championship games.

Kent skipper David Fulton said, "We've made no secret of the fact that he's a fine player, a class act and we'd like to keep him."

"There'll certainly be a contract on the table. I don't sort out the nitty gritty, but he's going to come back and talk with us. We'll just have to wait."



Posted by Neil