Kent’s new Head Coach Jimmy Adams is determined to make his mark on the club as soon as he gets started.

The 43 year old former West Indies captain was unveiled at a press conference at the St Lawrence Ground on Tuesday afternoon after agreeing a two year deal with an option for both parties to extend that deal further.

Adams’ appointment may have surprised many in the cricketing world and will no doubt send a clear message of Kent Cricket’s intent to challenge for honours once again.

The affable former left handed batsman was selected to lead the side after Kent went through a interviewing process that saw over sixty applicants go for former Director of Cricket, Paul Farbrace’s job and Adams will now return to Jamaica on Thursday before returning to Canterbury in early February subject to obtaining the necessary work visa.

Although having never coached a side in an official capacity before, Adams is looking forward to the challenge that lays before him and can’t wait to get started at Kent:

“It’s going to be a different phase in my life and to be involved with a county that is going through a healthy transition is what I wanted. There are a lot of young players coming through the system and all the ingredients are there for a fantastic challenge and a fantastic time in the history of the club.”

News of Adams’ appointment spread across twitter within minutes of his unveiling and the Jamaican told KSN how he was flattered at the news that his name was trending on the social network site:

“I’m glad to hear it, although I make no apologies to say that I don’t really know too much about twitter. I am sure I will find out very shortly what it’s all about.”

Although confessing to not have seen an awful lot of county cricket over the years and not knowing too much about the squad he has inherited, Adams told KSN how he had done his homework on the current crop of players using the internet and was planning to spend time back home researching further.

A tight time schedule saw Adams brought to Canterbury by train on Tuesday morning, giving him no real time to chat with his squad, but he admitted he understood what a great club he was joining:

“I have been in and around Kent for the last couple of years. I was here a few years back when they got relegated and Durham won the Championship, so I understand it is a proud club with a rich tradition, going through a transition period.”

“I think the sky is the limit and this phase of things we have the chance to lay some building blocks going forward. I think it could be a good time and place to be here.”

There were many people that Adams spoke to about the Kent job before agreeing to take on the position with former Kent and England bowler Dean Headley one of those consulted, but Adams credits former West Indies all-rounder Phil Simmons with persuading him to give county cricket a go:

“Phil was a big influence and we go back man years. With him being over in Ireland, I have been speaking with him quite a lot since the whole process started.”

“I tend to look up to him and there have been quite a few long telephone conversations with Phil over the last couple of months. His encouragement means a lot to me.”

The role of a coach has changed within cricket over the years and Adams feels his style of management will be one that encourages and nurtures good behaviour rather than dictating a new philosophy:

“I think it is important to come into the role with some positivity and the good will of others can only be a good thing. If we can use it to make the environment for the players a more positive one, I’m all for it.”

“I do think there is a lot of work to be done on the playing side and I get the sense there are a group of people here who will support that process. Part of my role will be to get a buy in from the players and get cricket moving forward.”

“I feel with the make up of the squad that we have, that we have to allow players to grow. Growth is needed both on and off the field and we need that enviroment on the field where players have the confidence to keep improving.”

With former Kent coach Graham Ford and player Alan Wells rumoured to have been on the shortlist for the job, Adams has beaten off strong competition to be selected for the position, however he told KSN how he isn’t fazed by the challenge that lays ahead and was keen on introducing his culture of hard work at the club:

“I like for us all to be working hard to achieve our goals and that culture of hard work rests with us all.”

“I will be doing everything I can to make Kent County Cricket Club as successful as it can possibly be.”