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Matt Walker is delighted Ollie Robinson has committed his immediate future to Kent amid interest from rival counties.
The 20-year-old has signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until the end of the 2021 campaign.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has hit a career-high 143 against Warwickshire this summer, plus another ton against Yorkshire – as well as impressing with the gloves.
Head coach Walker said: “I think Sussex were certainly interested, there might have been another letter written about him as well.
“That’s the way it is these days, if you’re out of contract clubs are entitled to show interest.
“It doesn’t need to be a secret, he’s scored runs and caught the eye of a number of people and there’s going to be interest in good young players.
“I’m pleased he’s decided to stay, heads can get turned a little bit with other counties but he’s a Kent lad, he’s come through the system, He’s got a lot of family here and it’s nice he’s going to continue playing his cricket with Kent. He’s going to hopefully have a really good career.
“It doesn’t take long before people see ability and see the scores on the page – we do the same.
“When you’re recruiting and looking for a certain type of player, people catch your eye. Ollie will have caught the eye of a few counties I suspect.
“It’s nice for a player to know he’s rated outside his own county, sometimes that can turn your head a bit but it’s nice he’s going to be here.”
Robinson signed his first professional deal in September 2017 before making his first-class debut against Leicestershire in August the following year.
Having broken into the team in the latter stages of last season, Robinson has since cemented a first-team spot.
Walker added: “It’s really pleasing, it’s great for the club, it’s great for him. It’s a good story, you’ve got a young lad there who has really taken his chance.
“He’s come through our system, he’s worked really hard to get a professional contract and then earn himself a three-year contract, that’s excellent.
“He’s scored runs and looked the part. He’s maturing as a player really quickly actually, he looks calm at the crease, not a lot fazes him, he’s got incredible temperament, he just looks the part.
“He’s worked really hard and put a few little things right technically from the start of the season and scored two hundreds, he’s always looked good when he’s walked out there. I see a really high ceiling for Ollie, he’s got big potential.
“He’s extremely grounded, extremely relaxed and a good kid. He’s taken first-class cricket in his stride. Every challenge thrown at him he rises above it and makes light weather of it.
“He’s a very humble young man, he’s good around the dressing room and just a really nice lad to have around who is going to work hard to be the best player he can be. Every day he looks a better player than he did before.”
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