Batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond is pleased he managed to get his first century of the season this week.

The 21 year old passed three figures for the first time in 2015 as Kent drew with Leicestershire at Canterbury, going on to score 103 as the home side came close to pulling off an entertaining victory.

Going into the final day’s play on Wednesday, it looked like it would only be the visitors that stood a chance of winning, but Bell-Drummond’s century helped lay the platform for Kent to have a real push at chasing down the 315 to win.

Along with Brendan Nash, Sam Northeast and Darren Stevens, Bell-Drummond was part of key partnerships that saw Kent take the game right into the final hour, eventually having to settle for a draw and the batsman was pleased to have played his part in the entertaining draw:

“It was a brilliant game. That’s why four-day cricket is the main game for me, in terms of every result is possible going into the last few overs.”

“I think both teams gave a good account of themselves. We let ourselves down in the first innings with the bat, but we came back nicely, especially with the bowlers in the second innings.”

“It was a good game of cricket for the neutrals. Obviously we’ve got a bit to improve on, but we can move forward from here.”

As to whether Kent felt they had a realistic chance of winning the game given their strong position at certain times, Bell-Drummond was unsure as to whether his team had blown a great chance to pick up their first win of the season:

“Yes and no, really. For one, we got them 80-7 in the second innings, we would’ve been chasing 210 or 220 and I think we would’ve been favourites there. Their tail hung in nicely.”

“Full credit to our bowlers, but we couldn’t quite get the last three wickets in time. And then, the game shifted to their favour. But it was a brilliant game of cricket. As soon as myself and Brendan got ourselves in, we just kept batting and were always trying to look for the win without being reckless.”

“It was a shame it couldn’t come, but it was a brilliant game of cricket and a knock I really enjoyed.”

Feeling confident going into the final session of the day, Bell-Drummond believes Kent had a good chance of beating Leicestershire, but told KSN how the side had to be cautious at the same time:

“It was tough – you can’t say that and then if they go bang, bang, we’re four down. It’s a bit silly. We needed to just keep batting, keep batting, and while we were, runs were still coming – it was a pretty flat wicket still on day four.”

“The chat wasn’t win the game – obviously that’s in the back of everyone’s mind, but we needed to make sure we were safe at first, and then push for the win.”

“It was a weird one. When Brendan got out, I was like: “Oh no – it might not happen here.” And then Northeast came in playing very positively, going at six an over, and then as soon as he got out, I thought: “McKay’s got his steam up here – it’s probably not going to happen”, and then Darren was just Darren – he came out and started playing some lovely shots.”

“I thought the game was always on. Obviously with Billings to come, we know how he can play. When Darren and Colesy got out, we just shut up shop there.”

“It was a brilliant game – maybe one we missed out on if we’d batted better first innings, but like I say, we’ve come away with a draw and we can hope to move on.”

As for his own form, Bell-Drummond was pleased to have made such a significant contribution with the bat and is hoping it’s a sign of things to come:

“I think I batted really nicely, and I was happy with the way I played. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take us over the line – hopefully another day!”

“I’m really happy it came quite early in the season, and hopefully it’s just the start.”

Kent’s opening two County Championship games ended in defeat away to Essex and Lancashire, but Bell-Drummond believes the side are heading in the right direction and it’s just a matter of time before they pick up their first win:

“Essex was a tough match, and a tough pitch as well. We didn’t think we’d played too badly, but unfortunately Foster played a very good innings to win them the game.”

“We were really disappointed at Lancashire and how we went, because it’s a nice, flat pitch to bat on, and the batters – myself as well – didn’t cash in on a nice, Test wicket.”

“That was what really hurt us. Now we can push on and look forward to the Glamorgan game coming up.”

That Glamorgan game starts at Canterbury on Sunday and Kent will welcome back spinner James Tredwell after his stint with England in the West Indies.

With Tredwell and Adam Riley both available, Bell-Drummond believes it will be tough for the Kent hierarchy to leave either out:

“Treddy comes back from the West Indies, and we’ve got Adam Riley – I wouldn’t want to be a selector, because you’ve got an England A spinner and an England spinner!”

“Whichever team they play, we’ve got a National standard spinner coming in our ranks, so whichever one plays, I’m pretty happy! It’s great to have Tred back from England duty.”

Main picture supplied by www.sarahansellphotography.co.uk