Fabian Cowdrey signs Kent deal

Fabian Cowdrey, the son of Chris Cowdrey and grandson of Colin Cowdrey, will continue the family connection with Kent after signing his first professional contract with the club.

The latest Cowdrey to play county cricket is 18 and was part of the Kent junior academy from 2008 to 2010 and has played regularly for the 2nd XI.

He was one of a group of players to sign new deals with Kent as the county look ahead to next season followed the departure of Martin van Jaarsveld and Joe Denly along with director of cricket Paul Farbrace. Adam Riley, the offspinner, and Chris Piesley have both extended their contracts while further academy members, Ivan Thomas, an allrounder, and Benedict Kemp, who is a right-arm seamer, have secured deals.

"It was very pleasing to see academy products Ivan Thomas, Benedict Kemp and Fabian Cowdrey performing well in second eleven cricket this season," Simon Willis, the Kent high performance director, said. "They have been rewarded for their efforts with contracts for the 2012 season and I look forward to seeing their continued development as they become exposed to the professional environment."

However, batsman James Goodman, who represented England Under-19s, has ended his professional career after deciding to pursue opportunities away from the game.