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.
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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