by Alex Hoad

Teenage batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond hopes to persuade Kent coach Jimmy Adams and new captain James Tredwell he is worthy of being a first-team regular.

The 19-year-old flew to Australia on January 2, joining fellow prospect Sam Billings at the Darren Lehmann Academy in Adelaide, where they will prepare for the 2013 season, playing for the Academy side and local side Prospect District CC.

Bell-Drummond (pictured) had a bone spur in his ankle removed in October and after two months of rehab, will get two months of cricket in Australia before returning to Britain to prepare for pre-season training and he hopes word of his performances will reach the other side of the globe.

He said: "My main job when I come back is to try and establish myself in the Kent first team for all formats of the game. I will take it one step at a time. There is no point setting goals if I don’t know whether I’ll be playing.

"I am due to speak to Jimmy and James Tredwell at some stage about next season. I have had a few chats with Jimmy but that was about how I can improve as a player, not related to anything to do with the club."

England under-19s star Bell-Drummond – tipped by former England captain Alec Stewart as one to watch in world cricket in 2013 – gave his backing to new skipper Tredwell, who replaces Rob Key after seven years at the helm.

Bell-Drummond said: "James has a brilliant head on his shoulders and I have no doubt he’ll be a good captain."

Do you think Bell-Drummond is worthy of a Kent place? Have your say below.