Adams sets sights on success in all formats

With just over three weeks before the full Kent squad return to The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence for their pre-season schedule, Communications Manager, Sarah Morecombe caught up with Jimmy Adams to get the lowdown on squad activities and plans for the 2014 season.

Do the current weather conditions concern you moving towards the season?

No, there hasn’t really been any impact on training as yet. The whole squad return on 14^th March and we need to get the bowlers out from the middle of March. As it currently stands there’s not a problem, and it’s been nice and sunny here in Canterbury this week!

Are you involved with the trial day later this week?

Yes, I will be involved with the trial day this Friday, and also Matt Walker, Mark Ealham and Min Patel.

What in particular do you look for during the trial day?

We will be looking for players who stand out in all disciplines. If anyone catches our eye we will then invite them to pre-season, to see them against the pros on a case by case basis. We’ll be looking for any diamonds – players that might have been missed.

Looking ahead to the season…do you have any thoughts on the schedule for 2014?

It’s an interesting one, with a mix of three and four day cricket [including pre-season], and then a block of 50 over matches, a format that some younger players might not have played so much of. We have some Friday night T20 Blasts, followed by Sunday Championships – and preparation with these timings presents its challenges, but we will prepare technically and physically for this.

What do you believe are the key areas for the squad to focus on during pre-season?

We won’t be going abroad, so it’s important to get outdoors, and the weather should improve my mid-March. We have a couple of pre-season fixtures coming up. We need to ensure that we are technically as strong as we can be. We need to be physically fit enough for each of the season’s formats, and tactically, we need to be clear how we want to play, and we also need to ensure that we have a tight unit and team.

The Royal London One-Day Cup is a new 50 over format. How will your approach to the campaign differ to the CB40?

The basic aspects will hold across both. The players do need to acclimatise to the extra 20 overs in the day, preparing both mentally and physically. It’s a case of applying skills over more overs, and we need to prepare technically for the campaign.

Building on 2013, what are your hopes for the season?

We will be looking for success in all formats – seeking a high win ratio across all is a target for the squad. We will continue to develop the youngsters to produce match winning performances, and look to get the most from our senior players.

What will new signings Claydon, Griffiths, Hartley and Hunn add to the squad?

These players are all unique in their own right and they have a great diversity that any squad would be happy to integrate – excellent additions to the squad.

You have a new coaching support team – what will these new staff members add?

Assistant Coach – Matt Walker

Analyst – Michael Najdan

Physio – Dan George

Strength and Conditioning Coach – Jon Fortescue

All these staff are well qualified and experienced in their respective areas, and all are keen to contribute to Kent, which is what you want. Dan is already here, as is Matt, and Jon and Michael are due to start in early March. They are all very professional in their roles, and fresh to the Kent environment. They have different personalities, and have all been selected on the basis of their ability to function well within a team.

Ashley Shaw is currently out of contract, but the Club has been supporting his training and rehabilitation from injury – how is he progressing?

Ash headed out to Australia in the New Year, where he has been playing club games in Melbourne. I’ve been in touch with him and so far he's been bowling pain free, without discomfort. We'll have a look when he comes back and see where he is then.

Have you been following Treddy, and England’s fortunes?

Do you have any thoughts on what went wrong for England during the Ashes Test Series in Australia?

I have been watching, and following from a distance. In terms of the Ashes, what went wrong? Mitch Johnson!