Beyond the Boundary: Kent's Darren Stevens writes exclusively for the KM Group
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Darren Stevens amongst the
runs against Scotland
I talked last week about our busy
schedule and this week is a prime example.
We came out of a one-day game on
Monday, then had a Twenty20 squad practice at Canterbury on
Tuesday, before back-to-back games against Essex and Hampshire on
successive nights, then straight into another four-day game against
Nottinghamshire.
We finished at the Rose Bowl late last
night (Thursday) and head straight for Tunbridge Wells and an
overnight stay before facing Notts.
It’s tough on the boys and the
programme the way it is needs some common sense.
Malinga Bandara has settled in well.
He joined in practice on Sunday before the Scotland game. I was
surprised how good his English is and he always seems to have a
smile on his face.
We said goodbye to Makhaya Ntini at
the weekend and wished him well over a couple of drinks, although
he is teetotal and only had a couple of soda waters himself.
I tried to twist his arm about coming
back but all he said was "talk to the club."
Fingers crossed, we might see him back
at Kent again, we’ll see.
Getting a third championship hundred
already this season against Durham last week was great but I wanted
to go on and score big and be there at the end.
It was disappointing to get out again,
just after getting to a hundred.
Everyone was delighted with the win,
against a side who hadn’t lost at home for two years. We sat in the
dressing room for about an hour afterwards letting our success sink
in and we showed great character to come back so well, having been
on the end of a hiding on home soil the previous week.
Alex Blake played well against
Scotland on Sunday and it was a proper cricket innings. He went in
with 19 overs left, got himself in and played well. He could be a
special player and is up there
with Sam (Northeast).
Blakey did well batting at three in
the Pro40 last season and being one of only two left handers in our
side, he offers us variation in the batting order and could be a
big performer in the Twenty20 competition this season.
He is an aggressive batsman, continues
to work on his bowling and may have got his chance earlier this
season but for being away at university.
Matt Coles has also done well in the
games he has played so far. He batted well as nightwatchman against
Warwickshire earlier in the season and he had made a couple of 30s
as well.
He is another aggressive batsman
working hard on his game and is not afraid to try different things
to improve his game with bat and ball.
I’m sure he is another youngster with
a bright future.
Thursday, June 03 2010
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