Qadri focused on success for 2021
Wednesday 3rd March 2021
Hamidullah Qadri joined Kent from Derbyshire ahead of the 2020 season, and since then has worked hard on his game.
The England U19 off-spinner is relishing the opportunity to be pulling on a Kent shirt more often this season, regardless of format.
The 20-year-old featured in Kent’s Bob Willis Trophy campaign in his first season, a year that he feels was a steep learning curve for everyone on the county circuit.
“It was a tricky season with the pandemic and us all not being able to play that many games, but I was really welcomed by the staff and players, especially the senior players.
“I really enjoyed my first season, and I’m looking forward to the next one.”
‘Hamid’ has taken advantage of being able to work with a former Kent and England spinner in Min Patel already, and he is seeing improvements in his game as we look ahead to 2021.
“I already knew Min from England U19s level and we’ve known each other for about two years now already.
“We’ve been working together on having strong basic skills, and then adding in subtle changes in my action, trying to be a little bit ‘cleverer’ with what I already have in my locker.
“I’ve been really lucky to be working with Min and my game has definitely improved since I met him!”
Alongside other hungry young Kent spinners in Marcus O’Riordan and Imran Qayyum, Hamid isn’t overawed by the continued hard work he knows is ahead for him, as he looks to be one of the first names on Kent’s team sheet for the future.
“It’s always good to have healthy competition, isn’t it?
“For me, I just keep on trying to improve my game, how can I be ready for the next game, and improve whatever I can, whether it’s my fielding, bowling or batting.
“I just want to work as hard as I can and then selection isn’t in my hands, I want to ‘control the controllables’ in my career.”
With more senior players earning international and franchise call-ups throughout 2021, Qadri is also adamant that these opportunities for players like himself can only help the whole squad in the long run, no matter what format is being played.
“I don’t care what colour ball is in my hand, as long as I’m the one bowling it.
“I do enjoy white ball cricket and it’ll be nice to get more opportunities to play for Kent and hopefully in front of a crowd this year! I’m really looking forward to that, especially.”
Over the Winter, Hamid spent time working on his game in the Southern Hemisphere, and has already seen the benefit of his intense training come through.
“I was away in South Africa for three months in the Winter, and I really enjoyed my time out there.
“Although I was out there to work on my cricket, which I did a lot, I also enjoyed being able to explore the country; especially the nature and the culture out there.
“The cricket was good and I trained pretty hard. I played some matches and also worked on my fitness; I always want to try and be as fit as I can.
“I really enjoyed it out there but now I’ve been back for two weeks and I’ve now joined up the with boys for pre-season training.
“Rob [Chave] has been keeping us fit and healthy, and as a player, your fitness levels are the last thing you want to be worried about going into a season. From that perspective, we’re well on track.
“I think our squad is one of the fittest out there and I’m looking forward to playing Kent’s brand of intense cricket in the field this year.”
“We have a young squad and last season we gave a great account of ourselves in red and white ball cricket.
“It’s all about coming together as a side and really pushing forward.
“I don’t see why we can’t go all the way in a competition this year, with young talent that’s hungry to improve alongside experienced pros that add so much to the squad.”
