Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
‘Not the season we wanted’
Sam Northeast admits the Kent squad are disappointed with their season and “need to take a long look at themselves.”
The 23-year-old was among those targeting promotion in the championship at the start of the season, while he was tipped for international honours by former skipper Rob Key.
However, in a season of struggles for the whole squad, the opener has averaged just 23 in 17 innings in four-day cricket and has yet to reach three figures in LV= County Championship, Division 2.
He admitted: “It’s been an up and down year for everyone and we’re all a bit disappointed but we need to draw a line under it and I hope everyone wants to finish the season strongly with a few wins.
“It’s not been the season any of us wanted but we want to show something to the supporters too and it would be nice to finish with some wins.”
Northeast added: “We all have to have a look at ourselves and question our own performances.
“Things didn’t come together in the way we had hoped. We have to sit down at the end of the season and look at why that might have been and how we go about moving forward as a team.
“I could be better at staying level a bit more – not getting too high when things are going well and trying to stay up when things are not going so well.”
Northeast’s one-year deal is up after the season but he revealed he was in talks over a new one – sticking with a single year as he hopes the pressure brings the best out of him.
He said: “Negotiations have been ongoing for a few weeks with a few players. I am trying to be part of something going forward with Kent.
“I just need to feel like the club and I both have the same vision and are both on the same page. I want to progress as a player and want the club to progress too. If both things can happen, then there is no reason not to stay with Kent.
“I do like to sign one-year contracts and I’ll probably go along those lines again.”
He added: “The last few weeks of the season gives us an opportunity to be positive with our cricket. We can play without fear We have nothing to lose. We can go out and play our own game without any pressure.
“Maybe we can be a little bit selfish and try and put some big scores up there and try and set the tone for next year.
“The aim is still promotion and in a couple of years we want to be competing for honours and at the top of Division 1.”