Adams looking to build Kent’s future

Jimmy Adams believes Kent are building a system that will see the county achieve success for years to come.

With Kent set to start their opening fixture against Yorkshire at Headingley today, Adams is set to take charge of his first competitive fixture as the county’s new head coach.

Having been with the squad for the past couple of months, Adams has led a transformation both on and off the field with a number of new signings complimenting those already at the Club.

Despite lots of new faces at Kent Cricket, Adams is of the belief that his side have the collective spirit to achieve something good over the coming years; “A lot of players have just come in like myself and I do think we have a lot of talent here, both old and new. I think we have collective desire and if we manage to put it together well, I think there’s a good chance we can get good cricket as a result.

“I know we have the players and the support group that are committed to that. I’m glad there is a sense of optimism and I know the players are looking forward to starting the new season. Every single player wants to prove themselves and be part of a successful team.”

With six new faces at Kent, the squad will swell to as much as twenty two players when everyone is available, giving Adams and skipper Rob Key a real selection dilemma. But the West Indian doesn’t see that as a problem; “I think it’s a healthy place to be in having competition for places. Even if you have a successful team, if you have no competition for places, your succession plan will go out the window.

“As all the great teams have proven in the past, like the great teams from Australia and the West Indies, being successful comes off the back of having more players than you have spaces.You have to manage it well, but it will be critical as to how we manage Kent’s future, especially with regards to younger players coming through.

“It’s great to have high standards right throughout the organisation and the younger players should be under no illusion as to where the bar is and what is necessary to be successful.”

Kent travel to Yorkshire with a twelve man squad, without the likes of Sam Northeast and Alex Blake, who will wait for their chance to get back into the side.

With James Tredwell on international duty with England, Adam Riley has been named in the twelve man party and looks likely to get a game against the Tykes, with Adams stating he feels a spinner is vital for any side; “We will have a spinner in our twelve as every team needs that option, whether we use him on the day or not is another thing. It’s wise to have that option available on the day. We’ll have a look at the wicket and see.

“You have to take into consideration the number of roles a spinner plays throughout the course of a four day game. Taking wickets is one, but they have a role of keeping things steady at one end whilst giving the seamers a rest.”

In recent weeks, Adams added to the already expanding squad by capturing former Durham seamer Mark Davies. With a bowling average most bowlers would aspire to achieve, on paper Davies looks a great signing and Adams was keen to stress how good he could be for the side; “We have no lack of confidence in any of our signings' abilities. The big question everyone told us about Mark was his injury and the number of games he’s played. We are very confident as to where he was when we started speaking to him and we’re very confident as to where he is now physically.

“In terms of his ability, there’s never been any question as to what he brings when he is bowling. Rob has captained him before and I’ve seen him play for Durham on various occasions, so here’s hoping he has a good injury free season, although we’ll wish that for every player!”

Jimmy Adams was speaking to Steve Wolfe of KSN