DBD: I take the rough with the smooth

Fresh from signing a contract extension, Daniel Bell-Drummond has followed his Royal London One-Day Cup form with some sparkling knocks, sharing strong opening stands in the opening three matches of the NatWest T20 Blast.

Since making his first class debut as a 17-year-old under the guidance of Rob Key, he has succeeded the former Spitfires skipper at the top of the order in white-ball cricket.

“As a professional, it’s my job to adapt. I played white-ball cricket all winter with the Lions and Kent overseas before playing for the South side in Abu Dhabi.

“I can’t use it as an excuse as it’s my sixth season as a pro but it’s been tough. As an opening batsman in red ball cricket, you sometimes get balls with your name one but you need to take the rough with the smooth.”

“Sean Dickson scored a few ducks in the Championship but bounced back with 318 so it shows that a big score can be just around the corner.”

How would DBD describe his opening partners Dickson (in red-ball) and Joe Denly (in white-ball cricket)?

“Sean is very intense in the middle. The triple hundred showed what he’s all about: he’s very focussed and meticulous in his planning and preparation, leaving no stone unturned.

“Joe is different. He’s very relaxed at the crease and knows his game as he’s a bit older than myself and Sean.

“He is attacking and takes his game to the opposition which is great in the T20 Blast in unsettling the bowlers.”

He recorded his maiden T20 century in 2016 at Tunbridge Wells as part of a Kent record second-wicket stand with skipper Sam Northeast. How does he feel Kent’s number 17 has settled into the captaincy?

“Sam Northeast isn’t too dissimilar to Rob Key. They’re both passionate, they both want to win and he will do what it takes to get over the line.

“He’s got his own style but Keysy’s influence is clear. The plan is to push on and keep improving. I don’t think we’re far away from promotion and contending for trophies.

“I feel there’s some exciting talent coming through and I hope I can help the guys as myself and Sam Billings were when we came in.

“I’m a pretty quiet guy but now I’m capped and with my England Lions experience, I do see myself as a more senior player although I’m still young and have a bit to learn.”

And the new head coach? Matt Walker played with and against a few of the more experienced players before he retired…

“Matt Walker has been brilliant in the new role. He fitted in well when he joined as assistant coach and a lot of the players have blossomed since he came in.

“He gives us so much information and when a guy like Walks is giving his all, you want to do the same for him and Kent.”

The softly-spoken batsman does not hide his international ambitions but knows he needs to keep working hard to realise his schoolboy dreams of playing for county and country.

“I’m a humble guy but I’ve sacrificed a lot to be the best I can be. If I do something, I want to do it to the best of my ability and I try to believe in my potential.

“It’s an exciting time to play at Kent with all the new facilities at Beckenham and The Spitfire Ground.

“The indoor school at Beckenham is brilliant and would have saved my Dad a few miles driving me to training at Canterbury as a boy!”

Lewisham-born and raised, Daniel used to commute to Canterbury on schoolnights when his father Percy, a club stalwart at Catford Wanderers, would drive up and down the M2 after school.

The 23-year-old smiles: “When I look back, it was crazy and I could only do it because I love cricket and my parents were amazing in supporting me.

“My school in South London used to let me finish early so I could go home and get changed, do my homework in the car going down to Canterbury and get home at 10pm – way past my bedtime!

“I would do that every winter growing up from the age of seven. My parents never put pressure on me and gave me every opportunity.

“Adam Ball was in my age group and I played with Sam Billings when he was Under-11 and I was under-9 so I’ve known these guys for years.”