Julian Thompson to stay at Kent for the year 2000

Kent County Cricket Club today announced that Julian Thompson has agreed to play for Kent next season. He has accepted a one-year contract that gives him the opportunity to build on his exceptional performances in 1999 and boosts Kent's chances of success in 2000.

At the end of the 1999 season the Club agreed with Julian that he should take time to consider the options available to him between his chosen career of medicine and the extension of his career in cricket. The Club is delighted that he has elected to give himself the chance of another year in the game.

Commenting on Julian's decision, Paul Millman, Kent's Chief Executive, said:

"Everyone at Kent is delighted with the choice that Julian has made. As our Player of the Year in 1999 he made an outstanding contribution to the Club and his decision to stay is obviously a major boost to our chances of success in 2000. On the back of our recent signing of Rahul Dravid as our Overseas Player and the reappointment of Matthew Fleming as Captain, this development means that our prospects for next season are much enhanced."

Commenting further, Julian Thompson said:

"This has obviously been a difficult decision for me and my family and we have spent some considerable time thinking about the future. Staying with Kent means a slight change of direction for my medical career but I am hopeful that I can still pursue my ambitions in the medical world as well as making the most of my opportunity in cricket."

For further information please contact:

Paul Millman, Chief Executive