Second Eleven Report 2013

Kent County Cricket Club

Second Eleven Report2013

After tasting success in the 2^nd XI County Championship last season, we unfortunately started the season with a small group of players, due to injuries, university and school commitments. The depth of our playing resource was tested, but this did provide us with plenty of opportunities to view players who have aspirations to play county cricket from outside our player pathway.

In the 2^nd XI County Championship Fabian Cowdrey was once again our leading run scorer with 554 runs in 9 innings, hitting three hundreds, including a double at an average of 79.14 while young trialist Charlie Hartley was the leading wicket taker with 18 wickets at an average of 30.17. They were well supported by Adam Ball with 402 runs averaging 50.25, Alex Blake with 387 runs averaging 48.38, Matthew Hunn with 14 wickets averaging 26.71 and Will Macvicar with 11 wickets averaging 18.73.

This format of the game proved to be our most successful this season, with a batting line up that was consistently capable of scoring 300 plus, a bowling attack that developed and was able to take 20 wickets with the support of a fielding group that were able to take the majority of opportunities that were presented to them. If there were areas we could look to improve. it would be batting through those tough bowler friendly situations and as a bowling attack developing the ability and discipline to hold run rates on flat pitches.

Our One Day Trophy and Twenty20 performances were very inconsistent both as individuals and as a team. Part of the reason for this was we never seemed to have a stable spine to our team for various reasons, and the delegation of roles changed on a regular basis. However if we are to improve in these formats of the game we must have greater understanding of what is required to be successful in one day cricket. Batsmen who are given the opportunity to bat at the top of the order must take the responsibility to get big scores with the ability and confidence to exploit boundary options when required. Our bowlers need to develop their skills and strategies so they can take wickets with the new ball as well as bowling under pressure in power plays or at the death. This all needs to be backed up by a dynamic fielding unit that can create pressure and help to cause panic in the opposition batsmen.

A feature of our team successes this year in all formats of the game were the significant individual contributions by a number of our young playing group;

Alex Blake’s match saving second innings 162 in the four day match against Yorkshire at Canterbury.

Fabian Cowdrey’s first second eleven hundred of 132 not out in the Championship match against Hampshire at Ageas Bowl.

Daniel Bell-Drummond’s match winning 132 in the one day Trophy match against Hampshire at Ageas Bowl.

An impressive opening partnership of 220 between Fabian Cowdrey 123 and Daniel Bell-Drummond 98 in the Championship match against Somerset at Maidstone.

Adam Ball’s first second eleven hundred of 125 in the Championship match against Surrey at Whitgift School.

First second eleven double hundreds for Fabian Cowdrey 201 not out in the Championship match against Surrey at Whitgift School and Daniel Bell-Drummond 212 in the Championship match against Northamptonshire at Beckenham.

Will Macvicar’s two Championship five wicket hauls of 5-43 against Somerset at Maidstone and 5-42 against Northamptonshire at Beckenham.

Sam Billings two Championship hundreds of 116 not out against Northamptonshire at Beckenham and 106 against MCC Universities at Polo Farm.

Harry Bush’s first second eleven hundred of 102 and Alex Blake’s second innings 137 in the Championship match against Middlesex at Radlett C.C

Imran Qayyum’s match winning first five wicket haul of 6-38 in the Championship match against Middlesex at Radlett C.C

The early season opportunities for players outside our player pathway saw the emergence of teenage pace bowlers Matthew Hunn and Charlie Hartley who led the second eleven attack on a number of occasions. Both performed consistently well particularly in the Championship and have been rewarded with contracts for the 2014 season. Exciting futures await these talented young players and we look forward to seeing their continued development with great anticipation.

In conclusion I would like to thank Adam Ball, Alex Blake and Adam Riley for their selfless contributions in performing the captaincy role at various stages this season. I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful support that is provided throughout the season by all the hard working staff within the Cricket Department. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes by this group of people that can be taken for granted but their efforts on a daily basis are greatly appreciated by all involved with the second team.

Finally, we have had to say goodbye to some of our colleagues who have decided to pursue new opportunities and will not be with us at the start of next season. I want to thank Philip Relf, Pete Kelly and Richard Cannon for their efforts and contributions at all levels of Kent Cricket throughout their time with us. They have all shown a great passion and commitment in developing the right environment for our players to perform and I would like to wish them all the very best for the future and the next stage of their lives.

Simon Willis

High Performance Director