Blake: One of my best knocks

Alex Blake says his unbeaten 74 was one of the best innings he’s played as his priceless partnership with Adam Rouse help Kent recover from 47-5 to clinch victory against Jamaica on the FGS Plant Tour.

The 29-year-old Kent Cricket Academy graduate hit ten fours in a patient knock, unfamiliar to followers of his usual fluent strokeplay.

The left-hander said: “I wouldn’t say it’s the finest knock I’ve played but probably one of the best given the situation.

“It was nice to get the team over the line but credit must go to Adam Rouse too. We talked a fair bit about playing spin after the last game so it was good to put it right this time.”

“Obviously it was not an ideal situation to be in after the bowlers did fantastically well to restrict a strong Jamaica team to 156.

“We’d have snapped your arm off if you’d have offered us a chase of 157 at the start of play when you look at the players they have.

“Batting for 40 minutes before lunch after a spell in the field didn’t go our way but we were confident going back out after the break as the run rate wouldn’t be an issue and it was just a case of building a couple of partnerships.

“Thankfully Rousey and I were able to do that and we managed to tick over the score in the middle overs on a tricky pitch.”

Next up is a match against the hosts Leeward Islands Hurricanes, one of the form sides in last year’s group stage.

“The win will give us confidence going into the Leewards game, who we know from last year are a very good side.

“We were disappointed not to have won the Guyana game as we outskilled them in many facets.”

Blake paid tribute to the impact of incoming assistant coach Allan Donald.

“AD has been excellent since his arrival. He has a real passion for the game and he’s shared lots of new ideas with the lads.

“Add that to his playing and coaching experience and that’s very exciting for us as a squad going forward.”