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Kent have awarded batter Jack Leaning his county cap - four days after he helped them to become T20 Blast champions.
The 27-year-old joined Kent from Yorkshire in 2019 and follows in the footsteps of seam bowler Matt Milnes who also has been awarded his county cap this month.
In only his second competitive match in a Kent shirt last year, he scored a mammoth 220 not out against Sussex, combining with Jordan Cox to set a new club record for any partnership in any format – the pair scoring a combined total of 423 runs.
Leaning is Kent’s top-scorer in the 2021 County Championship, with 738 runs at an average of 49.20, as they currently play Middlesex in their final competitive match of the summer this week.
He has made 51 appearances for the county to date in all formats, and has scored 1,670 runs at an average of 37.11.
A capable off-spinner, Leaning also averaged 11.42 with the ball in the Spitfires’ Blast campaign, taking seven wickets in the five matches in which he bowled.
Leaning finished joint-top of Kent’s outfield records in this season’s T20 competition, as well, taking 12 catches in 14 matches.
On finals day, he got a duck in the semi-final and ended with figures of 1-18 from three overs with the ball.
He scored 27 in the final but did not bowl.
He is the 221st player to be capped by Kent.
Leaning received his cap at lunch on day two against Middlesex from director of cricket Paul Downton.