Darren Stevens is hoping time in the middle will be the answer to his poor run of form with the bat, according to Kent assistant coach Matt Walker.

Stevens, who has scored just six runs in his past five Championship innings and averages just 18 with the bat this season, went straight from Kent’s defeat to Derbyshire on Tuesday to a 2nd XI match at The Mote against Essex.

The 39-year-old hit eight fours on his way to a morale-boosting 68 in a two-hour stint in the middle.

Walker said: “He has struggled for runs this year. He has been brilliant with the ball, like he always has been but he hasn’t had any opportunity in the middle.

“He got a few runs early in the season but recently he has got in and got out quickly and that’s tough as a batter because you don’t get in any rhythm and it doesn’t give you any hope that you can find that form you are looking for.

“With players when you are out of nick you want to spend a bit of time and find your way back. Even if it’s a dirty 30, it’s time in the middle and you start to find your feet a bit.”

The decision to play for the second team was down to Stevens and Walker praised his commitment to go and try and play his way back into form.

Walker added: “It was his decision and it’s good news that a senior player who has been around for a while now wants to go and play in the second team and find some
form.

“You can have as many nets and throw downs as you want and he has been working hard trying to find the solution but sometimes it is just time in the middle.”