BREAKING NEWS: Kent sign Yasir Arafat

Key keeps job as Kent sign Arafat
Rob Key
Key will be looking to score more freely next summer
Rob Key has been re-appointed as Kent captain for the 2007 season.

He will lead a new-look squad including Pakistan all-rounder Yasir Arafat, who will be one of their overseas players alongside Andrew Hall.

Arafat took 41 wickets and averaged 43 with the bat in eight Championship appearances for Sussex this summer.

The club have decided to release former skipper David Fulton, keeper Niall O'Brien and seamers Simon Cusden, Matt Dennington and David Stiff.

Min Patel keeps the vice-captaincy, batsman Matt Walker and spinner Rob Ferley are close to agreeing new deals.

But talks are ongoing about the future of former England paceman Martin Saggers after another injury-plagued campaign.

Explaining the changes, Director of Cricket Graham Ford said: "I believe we have made good progress in a number of areas this year, but as always we are looking to improve the squad for next season... particularly in the seam bowling area."

Key, meanwhile, will spend the winter in Perth as part of the National Academy squad and will also provide cover for England's Ashes squad.

His selection has provided a welcome boost after a season in which he has under-achieved with the bat, scoring 731 Championship runs.

"His commitment to the team has probably impacted on his own form," said chairman of cricket, Graham Johnson.

But he added: "He has made an excellent start as club captain. Like many who have watched Kent this year, Rob is eager to turn our great competitiveness into more tangible results in 2007."

The decision not to offer 34-year-old Fulton a new contract is no real surprise, after he indicated he was thinking over his future in the game.

He marked his departure with an innings of 155 in the current match against Middlesex and said: "It is with great sadness, but not bitterness, that I leave the club I have played for 15 years and have supported since I was a boy."

Is that a blow for sussex ??? hope he enjoys his time at kent!

No thats a huge blow for sussex!!!!! but hes 34 years old!

good for Kent

Good news for Kent, Arafat performed well for Sussex.

I think we need to bring Arafat back and start playing some Intl games. Prolonging his county career might not be good for him in the long run.

As long as he isnt playing for Pakistan, hes doing the right thing by playing county cricket

24 that is!

can't say i am really suprised expected some county to sign him after Rana was back to sussex.

Good for yasir Arafat.

Excellent signing for Kent, yasir has earned the contract thru his excellent performances for sussex!

Just got off the fone with him, hes rly chuffed, gd 4 him.