Former England fast bowler Martin Saggers has been granted a Kent benefit season in 2009 – eight years after winning his county cap for the club.

The 36-year-old Norfolk-born player played for Durham from 1996-98 before joining Kent in 1999.

He suffered through injury in the early part of his Kent career but enjoyed a good 2001 campaign and was awarded his Kent cap. His England debut followed with a debut in Chittagong in 2003 and he went on to win three caps against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Delighted by the award of a benefit campaign, Saggers said: “I moved down here in 1999 to try and give myself another chance at first-class cricket and I’m thankful to Kent for giving me that opportunity.

“At that time I didn’t even contemplate being here 11 seasons later, still bowling and still playing. To have been here this long and to have enjoyed a number of good seasons has been great and now, for that hard work to be recognised in this way by the club is fantastic.

“I’ve no expectations of my benefit year. All I’ll be concerned about is that all my functions are there for people - supporters and members - to enjoy with good speakers and celebrities they may not have seen before.”

To date Saggers has taken 572 wickets in all forms of cricket and scored almost 1,500 runs. He has played 111 first-class games.