Darren Stevens showed his class for Kent in a domestic County game against Glamorgan at the age of 45 in which he smashed 190 and took the big wicket of Marnus Labuschagne.
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He made his debut in 1997 at the age of 21. His career has outlasted greats like Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen. From that era, James Anderson still continues to weave his magic in international cricket. His stats are staggering. 16139 runs in 315 matches in First Class cricket. 80 fifties and 36 tons. He also has 565 wickets, with 30 five-wicket hauls and two 10 wicket hauls. An average of 34 with the bat and 24 with the ball in a two-decade career. Yet, he has not play for England.
At age 45, Darren Stevens may never play international cricket. But, he continues to display skills that still dazzle everyone in cricket. Recently, Stevens showed his class in the County championship in 2021. In the game against Glamorgan, he blasted 190 which included 15 fours and 15 sixes. The next highest score on that wicket from both sides was 43 by Ollie Robinson. In a match ruined by rain, he added even more value with the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne, considered to be the next great in world cricket.
The performance by Stevens at the age of 45 is nothing new. In 2019, at the age of 43, Kent were not going to renew his contract. But, against Yorkshire, he smashed a career best 237 that helped Kent to a great position. After the knock, Kent immediately renewed his contract and he could play on.
For an individual with such staggering numbers, it is a shame as to why he never played for England. Stevens could have been the bowling all-rounder very much in the Ben Stokes mould. At age 45, he is only getting better. Stevens became the oldest Championship centurion since 1986 when he made an unbeaten 116 against Northamptonshire. In the same year, Stevens was named one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of The Year to become the oldest man to receive the accolade since 1933. This followed a superb run in the Bob Willis Trophy for Kent, during which he claimed 29 wickets at 15.00 apiece.
In 2018, he took 42 wickets at an average of just 19. Stevens also had career-best limited-overs figures to with 6/25 when Kent routed Surrey. In 2017, Stevens’ bowling reached a different level when he took 62 wickets at 18.08. This included a haul of 8/75 against his former county, Leicestershire. This remains his career-best haul.
When Stevens was picked for Leicestershire in 1997, he did not get a decent run. His appearances were not regular. But, when he made the jump to Kent in 2004, he responded with 1277 runs in the season. In 2013, he reached the zenith. He won the best player, best bowler, and best batsman award. He scored over a thousand first-class runs at 63, including 205 not out against Lancashire. Stevens also picked 32 wickets in the County Championship.
You can argue that a player is past his peak when he reaches 40. But, in England, there are many players who have defied the norm. Wilfred Rhodes once played for 32 years and retired from active cricket at the age of over 50. When Graham Gooch neared 40, he only got better. Even after retiring from international cricket, Alastair Cook still chalks up the runs nearing 40. James Anderson has also defied critics and continues to be his best in 2021.
A sportsman can play for as long as he wants as long as he contributes to the team. Sachin Tendulkar played until the age of 40. In his last innings, he hit 74 and ended with an average of over 50 in Tests and close to 45 in ODIs.
A sportsman can play how much ever he wants provided he is fit and consistent in his art. Stevens has once again shown the world that age is just a number.
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