Kent county cricket preview: New signings, released players, fixtures, predictions
EXPRESS SPORT is previewing the county cricket season and Kent are the next team to go under the spotlight.
Kent captain Sam Northeast must surely be close to international recognition
Kent
Last season
CC D2- 2nd, not promoted
RLODC- quarter-final, lost to Yorkshire.
T20- Group stage, 7th.
New signings
Will Gidman (Nottinghamshire)- had loan spell last season
Joe Weatherley (Hampshire) – season loan
James Harris (Middlesex) - loan
Players out
David Griffiths (released)
Sam Weller (released)
Kent batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond has starred for the England Lions
Kent is a club with hugely exciting prospects and I feel privileged that I have the opportunity to be part of it
Hardus Viljoen (Derbyshire)
Fabian Cowdrey (released)
Overseas stars
No overseas player yet.
Club captain
Sam Northeast
Key man
Sam Northeast – very unfortunate to not have been recognised with an international call-up but Kent won’t mind a jot and will want their captain available all season.
England radar
Daniel Bell-Drummond – one of a long list of openers waiting in the wings and his form for the England Lions can’t be ignored for much longer.
Young gun
Hugh Bernard – the Canterbury-born seamer made his first-class debut in 2016, taking three wickets against Glamorgan.
This season's predictions
CCD2- 4th
RLODC- group stage
T20 Blast- knockout stages
Former England under-19 international Hugh Bernard is a promising prospect
With coach Jimmy Adams stepping down from his role, Kent could have got worse people in than Jason Gillespie.
The ex-Aussie fast bowler will assist Matt Walker on an interim basis while Allan Donald earns the qualifications for a Visa.
On the pitch Kent should challenge for promotion after finishing second last season and there could be an improvement in the T20 Blast if they can fund a top overseas signing.
First fixture
CCD2- Gloucestershire home, Friday 7th April
RLODC- Hampshire home, Thursday 27th April
T20 Blast- Essex home, Sunday 9th July