Claydon Improving with Age

Like a velvety merlot or a buttery chardonnay from the Hunter Valley of his home state of New South Wales, Mitchell Claydon appears to be improving with age.

As he approaches his 32nd birthday the Aussie-born seamer remains on course for his best season in English domestic cricket as he continues to contribute match-defining stints with both bat and ball.

Having snared 5 for 77 against Leicestershire earlier this month – his best figures for Kent and the fourth five-for of his career – Claydon went on to biff a career-best 77 from 91 balls for his maiden half-century for Kent in championship cricket.

After a glass of the amber nectar to celebrate, Claydon admitted that in the injury absence of countryman Doug Bollinger he is revelling in his role as the leader of Kent’s seam attack.

“Although we’ve been missing Doug his injury has created an opportunity for me, in that I have the chance to be senior bowler and lead the attack,” said Claydon.

“That’s a role I’ve wanted for a while and to finally have that now, at 31, feels good. But I know I have to earn it and keep putting in the performances in order to keep the job.

“Batting has been fun of late. It’s always been there in my game but, as a pace bowler, you do get labelled as someone who always bats at the end.

“I’m a bit of a throwback I guess and have never really looked to hang around. The way I see it, if it’s in my areas I’ll give it a go and throw the bat at it pretty hard, but maybe the time has come to start believing a little more in my abilities and take on board that I can score runs consistently.

“I usually go out when the opposing bowlers are tending to get tired so it is a good time to be batting in general. At No 9 you can get some decent opportunities, as I did at Grace Road and at Guildford this week.

“Jimmy (Adams) had a few words with me afterwards for not seeing Sam through to his hundred. We were both in and, as Jim said, we could have scored what we wanted, but I didn’t fully commit and got caught on the rope.”

Mark Pennell