Darren Stevens could be set to pull on an England shirt for the first time - with his inclusion having started something of a recruitment drive for the side.

All-rounder Stevens will be involved with England’s over-40s’ squad to play a 45-over match against Wales at Broxbourne today.

The 47-year-old, who left Kent last summer, spoke to Sussex amid the close-season and was unsure if he’d been available if he was still involved on the county circuit.

A move to Hove failed to materialise, though, and so Stevens will get the chance to represent his country.

“That actually has been on the cards for a while,” said Stevens, who is presently playing club cricket for St Lawrence & Highland Court.

“I wasn’t sure what I was doing - I had good conversations with Sussex about going there for the summer. I think you have to be an amateur to play.

“They [England] asked me at the end of January or February time. When I realised it wasn’t going to be with Sussex, I thought it would be nice.”

Since the news has gone public, Stevens has had messages from other ex-professionals who want to represent senior England sides.

England’s over-40s plan to play at a World Cup in Cape Town - somewhere Stevens knows well, having spent his fair share of winters in the South African capital - next March.

He said: “Since I have put out I was playing in it, I’ve had quite a few old county cricketers on my case. I might get them involved.

“There’s a World Cup next year so that might have enticed them!”

A call-up for England’s full team never came in his professional days but playing for the over-40s, managed by Luke Humphrey, will still be an honour.

He said: “That one sort of passed me through my career.

“But I want to play cricket, I still love it, and it’s a different challenge.”

Stevens hopes to be available to play most of England over-40s’ games throughout the summer, although he isn’t in the squad to face Ireland next Wednesday at Uxbridge.

Others in England’s 12-man squad for the Wales clash include skipper Chris Swallow and ex-Yorkshire wicketkeeper Simon Guy while former South African fast bowler Andre Nel is their assistant coach.