Kent story

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2013 Season Preview

Players In

Mike Hills - Essex
Michael Carberry - Hampshire
Noel Atkins - Youth

Players Out

Simon Cook - Retired
Azhar Mahmood - Retired
Adam Ball - Northamptonshire
Brendan Nash
Justin Kemp

Kent will look to improve upon a dismal 2012 season in which they finished last in the County Championship and failed to get close to qualifying for the knockout stages of either limited overs tournament. They have brought in a proven performer in Michael Carberry from Hampshire and one of the most promising bowlers in the country in Mike Hills, but they would have hoped for more and may come to rue the abandoned contract negotiations with other high profile names. They also go into 2013 with no overseas player, but despite this the positive thing for the players to grasp onto is they can't do much worse this time around!

Daniel Bell-Drummond - age 19, FC matches 10, 445 runs @ 23.42
Bell-Drummond had his first proper run in the team last season but injury hit just as he looked as though he might find his feet. He goes in as 3rd opener in line.

Alex Blake - age 24, FC matches 33, 1370 runs @ 25.37
Blake grasped his opportunities with both hands last year, especially in the T20s where he opened the batting to great effect, but his form deserted him and for that reason he may have to force his way back into the starting lineup.

Fabian Cowdrey - age 20, FC matches 4, 143 runs @ 20.43
It was Cowdrey who benefited from Blake's lack of form towards the end of the season and he burst onto the scene scoring a 50 and a 40 but he may have to wait his turn this year.

Rob Key - age 33, FC matches 255, 17089 runs @ 41.08
Kent's captain almost looked like he was fighting a lone battle at times last year and his side will need him to hit the ground running this season.

Sam Northeast - age 23, FC matches 53, 2496 runs @ 26
This season could be Northeast's last chance to prove himself at this level, but he will start a long way down the pecking order after a poor season last time out.

Chris Piesley - age 21, FC matches 4, 104 runs @ 14.86
Piesley was given limited opportunities last season despite good 2nd team form. He needs to take his chances if he is to move to the next level in his career.

Mike Powell - age 36, FC matches 227, 13466 runs @ 38.04
Powell was one of Kent's most consistent players last season and they will need more solidity from him at No. 3 if they are to improve upon last season.

Mitchell Duckett - age 20
The highlight of Duckett's season last time out was hitting the winning runs in a T20 game, the only innings in which he batted for any length of time. A first class debut may be on the cards however.

Michael Carberry - age 32, FC matches 138, 9586 runs @ 42.99
Kent's highest profile signing of the winter, they hope he can solve their problems as opener after a relatively lean season for Hampshire.

Sam Billings - age 21, FC matches 6, 297 runs @ 33, 7 dismissals
Did not make the most of opportunities last season and may have slipped down the 'keeping pecking order to 3rd choice.

Geraint Jones - age 36, FC matches 172, 7877 runs @ 31.38, 543 dismissals
Jones looked every one of his 36 years towards the end of last season and will start as number 2 'keeper behind Paul Cockburn.

Paul Cockburn - age 19, FC matches 2, 121 runs @ 30.25, 1 dismissal
Kent's new number one 'keeper impressed with some aggressive lower order batting in the latter part of last season.

Matt Coles - age 22, FC matches 34, 1026 runs @ 24.43, 77 wickets @ 39.97
Coles went from England hopeful to 2nd team regular last season as his wayward bowling let him down. May warrant a place on batting alone if he keeps up current form though.

Ben Harmison - age 27, FC matches 41, 1591 runs @ 24.48, 33 wickets @ 36.67
Proved himself well and truly a limited overs specialist last year, performing particularly well in the T20 tournament.

Darren Stevens - age 36, FC matches 202, 10640 runs @ 33.56, 140 wickets @ 33.54
Very nearly didn't have his contract renewed for this season, but was kept on as much for his experience as anything else. More of a specialist batsman these days.

Jamie Dalrymple - age 32, FC matches 152, 7651 runs @ 34.31, 187 wickets @ 42.37
Consistent runs and wickets across all formats earned Dalrymple Kent's player of the season award last time and he'll hope to continue that form, possibly moving up to number 4.

Mark Davies - age 32, FC matches 100, 312 wickets @ 24.21
By far Kent's best bowler last season, his side will need him firing on all cylinders again as he looks to better his haul of 59 First Class wickets.

Ben Kemp - age 19, FC matches 11, 25 wickets @ 43.28
The surprise performer of last season, Kemp may have done enough in his 11 matches to secure a starting spot this year.

Adam Riley - age 21, FC matches 12, 34 wickets @ 34.32
Surplanted James Tredwell as Kent's number one spinner last season but may have to go back to playing second fiddle as Tredwell regains his form.

Ashley Shaw - age 21, FC matches 6, 14 wickets @ 41.93
Shaw had limited opportunities last season but will need to show more than a little promise if he is to keep his contract past this season.

Charlie Shreck - age 35, FC matches 100, 348 wickets @ 31.34
Probably the most disappointing player for Kent last year. Reports suggest he will have starting spot in the early stages this season though.

Ivan Thomas - age 21
Thomas has played solely in the second team so far and will need to improve his performances there before he is considered for the first team.

James Tredwell - age 31, FC matches 123, 335 wickets @ 34.65
Started last season well but performances tailed off after being targeted in limited overs games. He was eventually dropped but will need to put that behind him.

Steve Reid - age 22, FC matches 3, 4 wickets @ 35.25
A promising young bowler, Reid could have had more appearances last season had it not been for injury. He will be fighting for a starting place sooner rather than later.

Mike Hills - age 19, FC matches 8, 53 wickets @ 20.23
A young, economical, wicket-taking right-arm fast-medium bowler is just what Kent have been crying out for and Hills looks to be all of those things. Widely expected to take the new ball with Davies.

Noel Atkins - age 20
It is no secret that Atkins was signed up from the youth team due to Kent not agreeing deals with the players they wanted but he could still be given chances.

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Kent Hit by Duckett Injury

Young batsman Mitchell Duckett has been ruled out for the first month of the season after breaking a finger in training.

The youngster was facing Matt Coles in the nets when he was hit on the finger and it looked bad straight away.

Duckett has yet to make a First Class debut but with a spot in the order seemingly up for grabs, he will be disappointed to be ruled out.

Duckett has played 3 limited overs games for Kent but has yet to play an innings of note, scoring 1* and 7.

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Kent vs Leicestershire



Two of the County Championship's least impressive sides last season face off in the first match of the new season at Canterbury.

Both Michael Carberry and Mike Hills make their Kent debuts and Alex Blake and Charlie Shreck are given starts. For Leicestershire, new overseas player Abdur Rehman plays as does youngster Richard Rendell.

Both matches between the sides were drawn last season but with no bad weather forecast we could well see a result in this match. Leicestershire won the toss and will bat first.

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Du Toit Hundred on Even Day



Jaques du Toit scored a first hundred of the season but Kent's bowlers took 6 wickets to tie Leicestershire down.

It looked to be a case of new season same old story for Kent as du Toit and Will Jefferson hit plenty of boundaries in the first few overs, but Charlie Shreck got the breakthrough when Jefferson edged one to Darren Stevens. The scoring slowed after that and James Tredwell got some turn out of the day 1 pitch to keep Leicestershire honest.

Shreck had his second wicket right after lunch when he trapped Ned Eckersley LBW but Greg Smith looked to hit out and du Toit brought up his fifty as Leicestershire looked to take control again. Smith tried one shot too many however and was caught in the deep by Mike Hills off Tredwell. The same bowler had Michael Thorneley stumped by Paul Cockburn and the visitors were tied down again.

du Toit found his best ally in William Jones however as the pair put on 108 against the old ball. The second new ball came as a relief for Kent as it removed both batsmen, but Wayne White and Abdur Rehman showed a tail that threatened to wag as they scored an unbeaten 47 before the close.

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Leicestershire Bowlers Chip Away



The match is still evenly poised after day 2, with Kent on 251-6 still 78 runs behind Leicestershire.

Wayne White and Abdur Rehman frustrated Kent for a little while longer in the morning before Mike Hills found the breakthrough, bowling White. Charlie Shreck finished with his best figures for over 2 years as he cleaned up the tail. Kent's new opening partnership of Rob Key and Michael Carberry put on 58 together as they safely negotiated the rest of the morning session.

Key brought up 50 but was out LBW to White soon after. Alex Blake came in and played very assertively in his new number 3 slot, hitting 3 fours and a six in his 36 off 59 balls before he fell to Richard Rendell. Carberry was playing very circumspectly at the other end and he calmly reached 49 by the tea break.

His half century came up in the very next over, but he too lost his wicket soon after, edging to slip off Robbie Joseph. Mike Powell soon became Rehman's first wicket of the season but Jamie Dalrymple and Darren Stevens put on 49 to stop the rot. Stevens hit 51 off 69 balls but both batsmen fell before the close to leave Paul Cockburn and the tail to bat in the morning.

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Thornely, Jefferson Help Leicestershire Build Lead



Leicestershire held a lead of 208 runs to ensure they are slight favourites going into day 4.

Kent just managed to pass Leicestershire's total in the morning session, but Wayne White took 3 wickets to ensure the tail didn't wag for very long. James Tredwell scored 28 as his side took a 4 run lead. Only one further over was possible before lunch, a maiden from Mike Hills.

Leicestershire's openers put on another fifty partnership together and with Kent's main seamers looking frustrated, Rob Key turned to Darren Stevens' medium pace. He did the trick in his first over, bowling Jaques du Toit. Kent's fielding was sloppy though, first Stevens dropped Will Jefferson off Charlie Shreck then Key himself dropped Ned Eckersley off Tredwell. It was another all-rounder who made the next breakthrough, Jefferson edging behind off Jamie Dalrymple. When Eckersley was bowled by Mark Davies off the last ball of the session, Leicestershire were 114-3 with two new batsmen at the crease.

Davies and Tredwell then produced the best bowling spell of the day but failed to take a wicket, Dalrymple this time dropping Michael Thornely off Davies. It was Hills who finally got the wicket, trapping Greg Smith in front, before Dalrymple made amends for his drop by getting Thornely himself, but not before he had hit an attractive 50 and taken the visitors' lead over 200.

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Rehman Spins Leicestershire to Victory



Pakistani spinner Abdur Rehman took 5-52 to bowl Kent out and get Leicestershire's season off to a winning start.

James Tredwell removed Wayne White early but William Jones stood firm and brought up his second half century of the match. The second new ball saw off the tail however and Jones was the last wicket to fall, caught by Tredwell at slip off Charlie Shreck. Kent were chasing 280 to win from just over two sessions.

The chase started in earnest after lunch as Michael Carberry hit White for 3 sixes in the space of two overs. His partner Rob Key was bowled by one that kept low from Matthew Hoggard and then Carberry tried to get too aggressive to Rehman, missed one and was out stumped. Kent were still all about the win however as Mike Powell hit a succession of boundaries but Robbie Joseph removed both him and Jamie Dalrymple. Alex Blake fell LBW to White and when Darren Stevens was run out on the stroke of tea, victory looked unlikely.

It proved to be way beyond Kent's reach after the break when Rehman removed the last 4 wickets in the space of 24 balls. Kent were left to rue what might have been had they held onto 4 straightforward chances in Leicestershire's second innings.

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Loughborough UCCE vs Kent



Kent travel to Loughborough to take on the University team and try and recover from defeat by Leicestershire.

Rob Key, Jamie Dalrymple, Darren Stevens and Mark Davies do not make the trip, with Mike Powell standing in as captain. Daniel Bell-Drummond, Ben Harmison, Fabian Cowdrey and Ben Kemp are all given chances to see what they can do.

Loughborough UCCE won the toss and elected to bat.

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Kent Seamers on Top Against Loughborough



Mike Hills took 4 wickets and Charlie Shreck 3 as Kent bowled Loughborough UCCE out for 241 on day 1.

It was Hills who started the destruction as he trapped opener Andrew Mutch for 10. His partner Jeff Hyde looked more comfortable, hitting 6 boundaries, but when Ben Kemp was introduced he edged one to Daniel Bell-Drummond at short leg. Hills took two more quick wickets before lunch as the top order crumbled.

It wasn't all plain sailing for Kent after the break as Steve McDonald and Nick Carver combined to score 52 for the 5th wicket but Shreck had his first wicket when Carver hit a lazy shot straight back to the bowler. Kemp then trapped McDonald for 40 before the economical James Tredwell got in on the act, bowling young Tom Keegan.

All the lower order got starts but it didn't take long for Shreck and Hills to blast through them without even needing the second new ball. Bell-Drummond and Michael Carberry saw off 17 overs before the close and Kent will want to bat all day tomorrow.

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Lovell 5 Pegs Back Kent



Loughborough UCCE's Vic Lovell took 5 Kent wickets on day 2 but the visitors still built a commanding lead.

Daniel Bell-Drummond fell disappointingly early in the morning session, LBW to Lovell, but Michael Carberry and Alex Blake had put on an unbeaten 84 by lunch, Carberry reaching his second half century of the season from 132 balls whilst Blake was in characteristically aggressive mood, hitting 6 boundaries.

Blake also brought up fifty soon after the lunch interval and the pair serenely moved their partnership on to 153 before Carberry fell 8 short of a good hundred, becoming Lovell's second LBW victim. Stand-in skipper Mike Powell continued his poor start to the season as he was out for a duck but Blake continued to look dangerous as Kent approached Loughborough's total.

Blake also missed out on a hundred however when he was bowled by Lovell and when Ben Harmison became his 5th victim there was a danger Kent would not get any kind of lead. Fabian Cowdrey and Paul Cockburn put on 48 for the 6th wicket however and despite Cockburn and Mike Hills falling to spin late in the day, Cowdrey brought up 50 as the lead grew to 75.

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Hammond Battles to Save Loughborough



Dennis Hammond hit an unbeaten half century to frustrate Kent and save the game for Loughborough UCCE.

Fabian Cowdrey became Vic Lovell's sixth victim early in the morning session and the rest of the tail didn't last much longer, although Kent had a lead of over 100. Things got worse for the University side as Mike Hills removed both openers in the same over. A counter-attacking 32* by Ian Dixon before lunch ensured the deficit was halved however.

Dixon extended his partnership with Glenn Osmond to 70 but he was trapped in front by James Tredwell for 45 and it was downhill from there. Charlie Shreck took two more quick wickets and Hills returned to remove Tom Keegan for 21. With 6 wickets down, Loughborough's lead was just 40 at tea, although Osmond remained on 45*.

Osmond fell to Shreck straight after tea, but it was the man at the other end who saved the match. Hammond farmed the strike for the entire session an Kent had no answer as he built the lead to over 100. Although Ben Kemp and Hills each took another wicket they couldn't dismiss Hammond and the game faded into a draw.

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Northamptonshire vs Kent



Northants host Kent in the County Championship, with the visitors already occupying the bottom spot that was theirs last season.

Kent name an unchanged side to the one that lost to Leicestershire, welcoming back various players from the side that drew their University game. Both sides boast plenty of bowling options on what looks like a batsman's pitch.

Rob Key won the toss and chose to bat.

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Willey, Hills Strike on Bowlers Day



14 wickets fell on an exciting first day in Northampton, with the home side ending the day 85 runs behind.

Michael Carberry has shown good form in his first couple of Kent games but he was out early today, bowled by David Willey. The best partnership of the day followed, 69 between Rob Key and Alex Blake, but having just hit Peter Trego for 6, the Kent skipper tried the same trick to Lee Daggett and succeeded only in edging behind. Willey then cleaned up Blake and Mike Powell in his second spell.

Kent were in further trouble after lunch, the damage being done by Jack Brooks this time as he removed Jamie Dalrymple and Darren Stevens. Kent were 120-6 at this point but Paul Cockburn batted well with the tail to ensure a batting point for his side before James Middlebrook finished the innings off.

Kyle Coetzer hit Mike Hills for 6 in the one possible over before tea to signify his intent but Hills had the last laugh when he removed the Northants top 3 in an expensive but effective spell of 4-0-24-3. David Murphy and Trego continued to hit boundaries in a partnership of 34 but Mark Davies trapped the latter LBW with a fantastic inswinger. Murphy continued untroubled with Josh Cobb though and the pair had put on an unbeaten 43 at the close.

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Fantastic Cobb Punishes Kent



Josh Cobb batted for all but 2 overs of the day as Northants built a commanding lead over Kent.

The Northants batsmen dominated the morning session as David Murphy and Cobb both brought up half centuries in a stand of 137 for the 5th wickets and looked like they could bat all day until Charlie Shreck pinned Murphy LBW. Cobb was ably supported until lunch by Chris Schofield as he searched for his 2nd First Class century.

Schofield was the aggressor after lunch as he hit 86 off 118 balls to really put his side in the driving seat. This allowed Cobb to inch his way towards his hundred, which he eventually reached to rapturous applause from the Northants crowd. Schofield eventually fell, but he was the only casualty of the second new ball as the batsmen continued to dominate.

Kent couldn't turn one wicket into two as Cobb and David Willey put on 90 for the 7th wicket, Cobb passing 150 as the field placings got more and more defensive. Only a rain break stopped their progress and cloudy skies after the restart meant Mike Hills was able to pick up a further 3 wickets, but Kent will have to work hard to save this game now.

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Brooks' Strikes Hurt Kent



Jack Brooks took 3 wickets but Mike Powell battled to a half century as Kent looked to save the match against Northants.

Kent were frustrated in the morning as the last wicket pair of James Middlebrook and Lee Daggett hit four boundaries before Mike Hills got his 7th wicket of the innings. Kent's batsmen looked negative from the outset with no hope of winning the game and they lost their skipper early, caught by Chris Schofield at slip off the bowling of Brooks.

Michael Carberry fell to Brooks soon after lunch but Powell and Jamie Dalrymple put on a patient 53. Runs came slowly as Kent looked to bat time but Northants couldn't find a way through until Schofield came on. Dalrymple edged him to Kyle Coetzer much to his obvious frustration.

The final session was all about Powell and Darren Stevens as they put on 80 together, finally providing some real hope for Kent. Although Stevens fell towards the end of the day, Brooks' 3rd victim, Kent need just 117 more runs to make Northants bat again.