Simon Willis on Second XI success and the Kent Academy

This season, Kent’s second XI has proved once again that the county has staggering strength in depth, with a crop of talented youngsters worthy of making a claim for first-team cricket. A seven wicket win over Gloucestershire at Beckenham secured Kent’s place in the Second XI Championship final – played against the Northern section winners on 4 – 7 September.

The counties battling it out for that berth are Durham, Leicestershire and Lancashire. Kent, however, have confirmed their place. Coach Simon Willis, who looks after the second team and the highly regarded Kent Academy, talks about this latest superb achievement.

Simon, the team has performed well in second team cricket this year. Are you pleased with the way your role is working?

The philosophy of the second team is to produce players for the first team and for the national teams too, so we are focusing on individuals doing well as well as groups of individuals impressing. We have played some decent championship cricket this summer and many of the youngsters have got their opportunities; both in the first and second team.

Primarily, you have worked with a relatively young squad. Does that make your job tougher?

Well, over the course of the summer, a second team can change quite dramatically. Generally we have been working with an under 23 side so you are right, it has been youthful. During the t20, we had a few more experienced players involved and that was good for the youngsters; seeing them prepare and perform at close quarters. It was important that some of the first team players (not involved in t20) stayed in form for the second half of the championship campaign so it shows that the second team has a variety of uses.

How would you rate the opponents you have faced, so far this season?

Well, again, it can fluctuate. One game you might be playing against a very strong team and the next could be youthful. The counties with big squads, at first-team level, and a bit of money will always be able to put out strong opposition. The smaller counties tend to go with younger players; you never know the opposition you will face from game to game.

What are the benefits then of youngsters joining Kent?

We offer good opportunities for young players and we are now starting to see a group of youngsters coming through and performing. It makes a good number of people proud; seeing their boys come through the successful Kent pathway for young cricketers.

You must feel proud too?

For sure. Nothing pleases me more than seeing young cricketers perform. Sam Northeast got left out (of the first team) at the start of the year and came down and focused on getting his place back. He banged out lots of runs and got back in. Daniel Bell-Drummond and Adam Ball have been away with the England under 19s. Both continue to impress and are performing to a high standard. Simon Cook has been the stalwart of the bowling attack. He is a senior player and a good role model for the younger bowlers. In the last couple of weeks, Sam Billings has really kicked on. He is starting to look high quality as a batter/keeper and is the latest in the long line, coming through the system.

The Academy continues to produce talented cricketers. You set it up. It couldn't be going much better, could it?

We are now coming into our tenth year and have produced a number of first team cricketers so I am delighted. The idea was to have a conveyor belt of players coming through and you always hope that Kent will benefit. A few other counties have also benefited and that has been the goal. We have always wanted to produce talented cricketers and to have competition for places – year on year. We have now got that and there are a number of talented young cricketers that are all waiting for their chance.

Could more youngsters be introduced then?

I think Rob (Key) and Jimmy (Adams) have got it just right. You need some older heads around the place and that has been the bonus this year. The Club has brought in some wise heads and I know that the younger players have benefited from the new arrivals. Charlie Shreck and Mark Davies have really helped Matt Coles and he has forced his way into the England Lions side. From a batting point of view, the likes of Sam Northeast, Alex Blake and Sam Billings have all learnt from Brendan Nash and Mike Powell. Promoting youngsters is all well and good but you need that experience to help guide them through what is an apprenticeship phase.

You have qualified for the second XI championship final. How big an achievement is that?

Well, I guess you would say it is a bit of a bonus for the lads. We have focused on our processes, throughout the season, and are doing our basics to a high standard. We try and do that consistently and this is the reward for the young guys. They've now got an opportunity of playing in a four day final. It is a high pressure environment and I am looking forward to seeing who turns up and performs well across the four days.

A number of players have shown their ability. Who should members and supporters start to look out for?

Well our two England under 19 players continue to impress. Daniel and Adam are progressing nicely and performing admirably at the highest level (for their age range). Daniel scored runs against South Africa and Adam has played in every game that he has been available for. I think Sam Northeast will now kick on, having recently been capped, and Matt Coles is flying. Others to look out for, from the groups below, are the likes of Sam Billings, Ivan Thomas and Adam Riley although there are several others that could be mentioned alongside those names.

You are the focal point for developing players but it isn't a one-man process, is it?

No, not at all. A number of people have an impact on the development of these guys and will do so over a five to ten year period. The physios, age group coaches, strength and conditioning coaches and psychologists all play a prominent role in helping to develop cricketers. Lots of hours go in, for not a lot of cash, so seeing these guys do well for the county and play for their country is a fitting reward for the many people that put in the much needed effort.

Finally, how are you enjoying your role?

Very much so. I've been back with the second team for three years and I said that it would take me three years to get things shaped and fully geared up. Getting to the second XI final is the icing on the cake. We are making good strides, throughout the Club. I've worked on restructuring the Academy and age group levels. We will continue to build on that in the next 12 to 24 months and I want us to be the benchmark for the others to follow.