Bell-Drummond gives his thoughts on signing new pro contract

Earlier today, Academy batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond (pictured) signed his first professional deal with the club. The 17-year-old right-hander has signed up for three years as Kent continue their bid to keep young talent tied up to long-term contracts.

Bell-Drummond, who can also bowl medium-pace, has shone in the county“s youth teams playing a huge role in the club“s U17s double winning side in 2009 and, last year when the same side developed further to claim the ECB Cup. The Millfield School student is clearly delighted to have put pen-to-paper: “I“m very happy and really shocked. I“m grateful to the club for backing me and offering this long-term contact. I enjoyed a good 2010 and hope that I will continue to develop as I move forward. I would like to thank the club“s Academy director, Phil Relf, and my coach at Millfield School, Mark Davis, for the help and encouragement that they have given me.”

His performances at youth level have already been noticed at national level, when he was selected for the England Under-19 side to take on their Sri Lankan counterparts in last summer“s Youth Test Series. Bell-Drummond didn“t disappoint; his unbeaten 88 led the hosts to a six wicket-win to level the series. The Lewisham-born batsman took great confidence from that and sees the contract as another stepping stone to bright future: “The players at second team level helped me immensely, when I broke into the team earlier this year. I thought I did well. I also enjoyed scoring the unbeaten 88 for England. I cannot really describe how I felt, after seeing the team through to victory, but I“m confident that I will be able to enjoy similar good times moving forward. I view this contract as just the beginning.”

With a smaller playing squad likely next season, every young player signing a new contract can expect a chance to shine in the first-team, something that the level-headed Bell-Drummond is hopeful of but he knows he has to continue to work hard if he is to get his chance: “Hopefully I will be able to push on in 2011 and my aim is to break into the first-team. I will only do this by performing well for the seconds, so that is my first aim. I would say that I“m a tight opening batsman – with a solid technique. I enjoy building an innings and look forward to performing well for Kent in the years to come.”