Kentish Express Ashford & District
Tough start to life in top flight
Tevis Knight says it will be a proud moment to lead out Tenterden in their first Shepherd Neame Kent League, Premier Division bow at Sevenoaks Vine on Saturday,
The Morghew Park club have been handed a tough start with an opening day trip to the 2014 winners, followed by a first home game against defending champions Hartley the following week.
New overseas star, Indianborn 25-year-old New Zealander Bahrat Popli was due in England yesterday (Wednesday), replacing South African all-rounder Leus du Plooy, while the club have also recruited Kent pair Adam Ball and Sam Weller, who switch from Bexley and Hartley respectively.
Captain Knight (pictured) said: “We want to do ourselves justice and perform well. Premier League cricket is a bit of an unknown for a few of us and we are untested at this level. I am sure we are capable and are backing ourselves.”
Popli arrives on the back of a hugely successful Plunket Shield programme with Northern Districts, finishing as leading runscorer in the competition, with 1,149 runs, including three hundreds and seven fifties and averaging nearly 68.
He has experience of English conditions having played for Kimberley Institute in the Nottinghamshire Premier League three years ago.
Knight added: “Leus will be a big gap to fill on and off the pitch but Bahrat has been in great form during our winter. Everything has been confirmed regarding his visa and we are looking forward to seeing him.” “Playing the two previous champions is a tough baptism but we are aiming to hit the ground running and hoping maybe to catch these teams cold at the start of the season.” Tenterden finished runners-up, 11 points behind Division 1 champions Dartford last season.
Tom Richards was leading Division 1 wicket-taker with 39 victims, while Ben Price was the top wicketkeeper with 33 victims (25 catches and eight stumpings). Knight said: “I have seen a big change in Tom over the winter, in the way he has matured and looking at his cricket.
“He is only 19 but if he replicates what he did last season, he may earn himself a chance with Kent 2nds.”
Changes off the field see Ian Price re-appointed club chairman, Guy Day the new treasurer and Countrystyle Recycling the new kit sponsor, while the club pavilion has benefited from a makeover.
Knight said: “There has been a bit of a shake-up. Ian is a great businessman with plenty of contacts.
‘We want to do ourselves justice. The Premier Division is a bit of an unknown’