Kentish Express Ashford & District
Bell-drummond takes his chance to stake a claim
A delighted Daniel Bell-Drummond says he will remember the week of his highest championship score and Friends Life t20 debut for years to come.
The 19-year-old scored a LV= County Championship-best 79 in the Division 2 draw against Hampshire last Wednesday before top scoring with 27 in the Spitfires’ superb win at the Royals four days later.
He said: “It was a brilliant week. We didn’t get the win we were looking for in the championship but from my point of view, it’s been a really enjoyable week, one I’ll remember for a long time.”
Bell-Drummond did admit to some frustration that he wasn’t able to join Rob Key and Brendan Nash into three figures against Hampshire, particularly as he’d also missed out on a big score at Cheltenham where Kent recorded their first win the previous weekend against Gloucestershire.
He said: “I missed out on the runs at Cheltenham but the guys showed they are in good form and confidence was high going into the Hampshire game.
“Seeing Keysey and Nashy batting out there was great. I can learn a lot from them and the way they are going and luckily I was able to cash in, too.
“I was unhappy to get out. I’d done all the hard work the day before but I lost patience and chased a wide one. I will log it and learn from it next time.”
He added: “It was a championship-best score so I suppose I have to be happy with that but I was frustrated and desperate to get a hundred.
“Hopefully, I’ll get another chance in the next game – my birthday is during the Worcestershire game, on August 4, so that would be a good time to do it.”
‘Its been a brilliant week. . . One I’ll remember
for a long time’
Bell-Drummond and 2nds team-mate and long-time friend Fabian Cowdrey were introduced to the side in place of Key and Sam Northeast for the trip to Southampton on Sunday and BellDrummond admitted: “I wanted to get the opportunity to show what I can do but my main goal was to help the team.
“Jimmy Adams (coach) and (captain) James Tredwell were helpful. It was my first game in the tournament but they just told me to go out and enjoy it.
“Fabian has been in brilliant form, scoring lots of runs and confidence was high going in.
“We have played together since the age of 12 or 13 and know each others game well.”
He added: “I was honoured to get the role on Sunday and want the chance to do it again.
“It looks like they’re going to stick with us for a while. I want to play in every game that I can.”