Kent all-rounder Alex Blake is racing against time as he attempts to join up with his team-mates at Canterbury next month.

Blake committed his future to the club on Wednesday by agreeing a new three-year contract which takes him through to 2013 and is hopeful of completing his sports studies degree at Leeds Metropolitan University soon.

He said: “I have got my dissertation to finish off, as well as a couple of other modules and, hopefully, with a bit of hard work I will complete it in the next couple of weeks.”

The 22-year-old left-hander was pleased to get the new deal at the St Lawrence Ground agreed and said: "Things have dragged on a little bit, but I was always confident it would get sorted out.

"I was a bit out of touch up there, so left it to my agent David Fulton, but there was no real pressure. I have signed the contract and it’s now in the post back to Kent.”

Blake wants to win a regular spot at seven in the batting order in both forms of the game, and has been working hard on his bowling during the winter at university.

He described scoring his maiden first class hundred for Kent in the final match of the summer against Yorkshire last season as the “best feeling ever” and wants to experience more big moments in his career.

Blake, who finished unbeaten on 105, said: “Getting to the hundred was the best feeling I have ever had. I had got to 60 when we were nine down, but Dewald (Nel) stayed with me and, as we got nearer and nearer, I said to myself 'I can do this.'

“It was the best feeling I have ever had. It showed the Kent supporters I can do it, and can cut it at this level, and I proved to myself I can do it. I am not a big one on self-belief, but it has given me confidence.

“I got my shirt signed by everyone, and have it framed at home. It’s a nice souvenir, and I hope there will be many more."