Beyond the Boundary: Kent star Darren Stevens writes exclusively for the KM Group
Comments |
I’m writing from the County Ground in Northampton and it’s a
couple of hours before I go out for my England debut, for the Lions
in the triangular one-day series against West Indies A and India
A.
I honestly had not thought about the chance of being given
England recognition until Farby pulled me aside during the
day/night game at Surrey last week.
I’m sure they had mixed feelings because while everyone at Kent
is happy for me, I am sure they are going to miss me and James
Tredwell but I think they are going in the right direction now.
We had a good win the other evening against Sussex at Hove – our
cricket changed that night.
The losing run was not fun to be a part of – to go from Twenty20
being our main strength over the past few years to that.
Unfortunately, although you know it shouldn’t happen, heads
start to drop and it is difficult. You just don’t know how to get
out of the situation. No matter how hard you train or work in
practice, it doesn’t seem to change. The luck just seems to go
against you.
In all the games we’ve lost we have failed to get off to a good
start. It was a big thing for us to get off to such a good start on
Sunday.
It was a shame Keysey couldn’t get a ton but it gave us the
foundation we needed, with Joe playing well and Jarra coming in to
make a good 50.
With those three doing well, we have a good chance of getting a
reasonable score on the board and with the youngsters coming
through and impressing, we’ll have a good chance of winning
games.
Hopefully, they can do well against Pakistan this week, then in
the two t20 games against Hampshire on Friday and Gloucestershire
on Sunday, both at Canterbury. I’ll be checking the scores as soon
as I get into the dressing room at lunch and tea.
I won’t be able to play against Hampshire in the Championship at
The Rose Bowl on Monday but if the schedule allows, I’ll head down
there to support them.
I trained with England on Monday and if we train as hard as that
for 10 days, then I’m going to be a tired boy at the end of it.
Captain Alastair Cook told me I’ll be in a floating role. I was
down at No.7 and expect to bowl a bit but Cooky said I’d be moved
up or down depending on the situation.
If the England selectors weren’t looking at me then I wouldn’t
be playing for the Lions. I’m not going to worry about anything
other than doing my best and giving everything I’ve got.
If I’m successful then who knows... what will be, will be.
Thursday, July 01 2010
The KM Group does not moderate comments.
Please click here for our house rules.