Kent’s latest signing Arafat Bhuiyan made a positive impression against a club legend at the weekend.

Right-arm fast-medium bowler Bhuiyan, 26, penned professional terms with Matt Walker’s squad this week and immediately went into their 12-man County Championship Division 1 squad to take on frontrunners Surrey at The Oval from today.

He took 4-26 for Blackheath - although couldn’t stop popular all-rounder Darren Stevens, playing for St Lawrence & Highland Court at the start of the year after ending his long association with Kent in 2022, from scoring a century in a winning cause for them.

But 47-year-old Stevens still liked what he saw from Dhaka-born Bhuiyan, who has UK residency and had been playing for Kent 2nds.

He told KentOnline: “We played against Arafat who has just signed for Kent.

“I thought he was their overseas! But he bowled beautifully.

“I was really impressed with him. I think he will be a great signing for Kent.”

Stevens blasted an 87-ball 101 in the hosts’ 232 all out, supported by Michael Hales Jr (41). He then took 1-35 with the ball in 10 overs but opening bowler Joseph Payne (3-56) finished with their best figures.

Blackheath’s Tom Foster was run out off the final ball of the game as St Lawrence got home by two runs.

Stevens reflected: “I’m not going to lie, I was a little bit sore on Sunday!

“It’s 13 years since they have been in the Premier Division. I think only one of the lads, Will Hilton, had played in the Prem before.

“We were quite excited at Bexley the weekend before [that match was abandoned due to the weather] so it was good to get a run out and getting over the line was the No.1 priority.”

St Lawrence host Sevenoaks Vine this Saturday while Blackheath play Holmesdale in the Kent League Premier Division.