Powell signs two-year Kent deal

Michael Powell, the former Glamorgan batsman, is set to extend his county career after signing a two-year contract with Kent. Powell, 34, was released at the end of the 2011 season after 14 years with his former county.

Having become only the third player to make a double-century on debut against Oxford University in 1997, Powell became the seventh highest run-scorer for Glamorgan with 12,377 first-class runs. He has also scored 4,640 one-day runs and represented England A five times.

"I am looking forward to making the move to Kent and I'm extremely pleased to have signed with the club," said Powell. "I hope to make a positive impact next season and look forward to the challenges ahead at Kent."

Powell will be looking to resurrect a career that has stalled since a serious illness in 2007 when complications during rib surgery became life-threatening. He was Glamorgan's leading run-scorer in 2002 in a side containing Steve James and Matthew Maynard and was called up for England's Natwest Series squad in 2004.

But following illness, Powell struggled to regain form and his days at Glamorgan looked numbered when he lost his place in the County Championship team to Tom Maynard after six matches in 2010. Maynard's departure to Surrey gave Powell another opportunity but in 12 games in 2011 he scored just 675 runs at 32.

Kent's chairman of cricket, Graham Johnson, said: "We are delighted that Michael will be coming to Kent. He has had a very successful career with Glamorgan and still has much to offer county cricket."