Settled Gidman now full of belief

Will Gidman says moving to Kent helped restore his selfbelief after an unproductive spell with Nottinghamshire. The 32-year-old never lost his enthusiasm for the game during his two years at Trent Bridge but admits some self doubts did creep in before his move to Kent, initially on loan last July. A run of five half-centuries – including an unbeaten 99 against Sussex at Hove – swiftly helped dispel those fears and by the end of the summer he was sitting top of the Division 2 batting standings with a remarkable average of 120. Come October he had agreed to join Kent permanently – a decision he admits he needed little time in reaching. Gidman said: “I was aware things weren’t going well (at Nottinghamshire). “There were a number of reasons to be honest, both on my part and a little bit on their part as well. “Sometimes things just don’t click. You see it in football, you see it in rugby, you see it everywhere. You make a move and things just don’t click. “Notts is a wonderful club, I feel lucky to have played there. It just didn’t quite work out but I certainly did not lose enthusiasm. “I’m happy to admit I lost quite a lot of confidence so it (the move to Kent) certainly re-ignited my belief in my ability. “I was nervous coming into that first game against Worcestershire here and it was lovely to get off to a nice start with a few runs and a couple of wickets. “Fortunately, I managed to kick on after that game as well.” Kent are the fourth club Gidman has played for – he also represented Durham and Gloucestershire before the move to Notts – and he says the spirit in the dressing room is among the best he’s been involved with. He also thinks the squad are good enough to challenge in all formats. He said: “I always enjoy my cricket but I’m enjoying it here especially and it’s having a big contribution towards what I’m doing on the field. “There is a huge amount of belief in the dressing room. “The camaraderie is one of the best I’ve been around and that’s half the battle, especially with the championship “You’re talking about six or seven months of being on the road, playing cricket together and as long as that is there, you’re in a great place.”