The Cricket Paper

Kent hope Gidman can help take them to next level

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It’s not easy to feel for the Aussies, but this whole fallout is quite sad. We know there are books to be sold, but this Australian team was a fine unit and it’s not going to be remembered well.We’ve seen what the fallout of Kevin Pietersen did to the England team, and you can guarantee that South Africa are rubbing their hands with glee

WILL Gidman has signed for Kent following a successful loan last season.

Nottingham­shire released the 31-year-old after two years but he impressed in five Championsh­ip games for Kent last season.

Gidman scored 362 Championsh­ip runs at 120.66, while also taking ten wickets in 11 matches as Kent reached the quarter-finals of the One-Day Cup. Gidman said:“I’m really excited to make the move permanent. Kent are a great club with hugely exciting prospects and I’m privileged to have the opportunit­y to be part of it.”

Gidman, a former Durham and Gloucester­shire allrounder, has taken 202 wickets in 68 first-class matches at an average of just under 24, while he’s scored almost 3,500 runs.

Kent’s chairman of cricket Graham Johnson added:“Will added depth to our batting and bowling in Championsh­ip and limited overs cricket as well as being a positive addition to the dressing room.

“In developing a squad to challenge at the highest level, we need a blend of experience and potential plus having competitio­n for places.We look forward to his significan­t contributi­on in the future.”

Gidman has been rewarded for a terrific loan spell this summer, and it’s great to see Kent giving someone the ‘wrong’ side of 30 a chance.The Canterbury side would have been promoted in any other season and Gidman is sure to keep that winning mentality. Kent will be wanting to get back to winning ways in the white-ball format too, and Gidman definitely adds a string to the bow

 ??  ?? Contract: Will Gidman
Contract: Will Gidman

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