Kent have announced that it has agreed long-term development contracts with Paul Dixey and Sam Northeast. Dixey, 18, and Northeast, 16, are two of Kent Academy’s outstanding talents. In reaching these agreements, the club has agreed to work with both to further develop their cricketing abilities to the age of 21.

Northeast is already making his mark and earlier this season hit a half-century against the Sri Lankans at Wormsley.

Paul Farbrace, the academy director, said: “I am thrilled that Paul and Sam have committed themselves to the club. We look forward to working with them to make the most of their undoubted talents and, hopefully, in the longer term help them to develop long and successful careers with Kent and beyond.”