Kentish Express Ashford & District
Overseas chase stalls but Northeast stakes England claim
Cricket
Kent’s hopes of unveiling an overseas player to join them for the opening three months of the season have been hit by injury. Kent were hoping to announce the signing of an international fast bowler last week but have been hampered by the reluctance of international boards to release players on the eve of the ICC Champions Trophy, which takes place in England in June. To make matters worse, injuries to two of the club’s shortlisted candidates have scuppered their plans, although Kent were in talks with another target this week. Meanwhile, the club are hopeful progress is being made in their bid to appoint an interim assistant coach – widely believed to be Jason Gillespie – before the start of the Championship season next month. The club have agreed terms on a short-term deal but the ECB are working on ratifying the coach’s visa and qualifications. New signing Joe Weatherley joined in with pre-season training last week. The 20-year-old, former England under-19s batsman, has arrived from Hampshire on a year’s loan. Head coach Matt Walker said: “I haven’t seen too much of him but he’s highly regarded by Hampshire. “He’s organised, ambitious and is a good lad. He’s fitted in brilliantly.” Walker claimed first XI places were up for grabs before the first Championship game at home to Gloucestershire on April 7, adding: “We have been a fairly settled top five for the past year but it’s not to say someone can’t force their way in. “I have no fixed idea in my head of what that first team will look like, that’s up to other people to push their claim.” Kent will not have a vice-captain this summer, with a committee of senior players including Will Gidman, Mitch Claydon and Sam Billings called upon to step up should Sam Northeast be unavailable. Northeast and Daniel BellDrummond both shone in front of the England selectors as the South sealed a 3-0 series win against the North in Dubai. Northeast hit a match-winning 118 not out as the South won game two on Sunday, seeing his side through to 346-6 after being put in. With the ball, the South attack struck regularly as they won by 47 runs. Northeast claimed it was ideal preparation for the new season and said: “It’s an honour to come and play in this. I felt in good touch going into this week and I’m happy we’ve won 2-0 and I’ve got some runs on the board.” He added: “There are competitive, highly-skilful cricketers playing against each other. I haven’t been around since under-19 days and it’s nice to score some runs in front of the selectors.” Bell-Drummond also relished the opportunity to impress the England selectors with 92 not out in an unbroken opening partnership to give the South a 1-0 lead in the series on Friday. The 23-year-old helped Malan (109 not out) chase 205 to win with 10 wickets and 99 balls to spare and said: “Everyone knows what this series is about, so it’s a good stage to do well on. “Hopefully, I can push on into the season with Kent. Bell-Drummond was out in the first over of game two for nought but responded with 81 in game three as the South racked up 228-8 to win by 20 runs and complete a series whitewash on Tuesday.
Northeast, who was rested on Tuesday, will lead the MCC squad against county champions Middlesex in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
‘I felt in good touch going into the week’