Batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond is confident that his game is in the right place, having started the season well for Kent.

20-year-old Bell-Drummond had a productive pre-season, including featuring for the MCC in their curtain-raising opening game of the season against County Champions Durham in Abu Dhabi. Bell-Drummond hit 54 for the MCC in the first innings of the game, helping his side to a six-wicket win.

He then carried that form into pre-season for Kent, hitting consecutive unbeaten centuries against Essex, in a friendly, and then Loughborough MCCU in Kent’s opening First Class game of the season. He followed that with a top-scoring 61 in the first innings of Kent’s open County Championship game at Worcestershire yesterday.

“You can only control the controllables”, Bell-Drummond told KSN when we caught up with him prior to the start of the season.

“I hope to keep doing that this year and just do my best. That’s all I can really do. I try not to put too much pressure on myself because when I play my best, I know I’m not thinking too much about it, and that’s what I plan to do this year.

“I think I’m in a positive place, and hopefully it can continue.”

Bell-Drummond is one of a number of younger members of the Kent squad who will be looking to take their opportunity to cement a place in the side during 2014. The former Millfield School pupil did become a more regular member of the starting XI last year, featuring in 13 of their 16 Championship games, although he averaged only 23.30 in four-day cricket.

“I’ve got quite a few games under my belt now, and I’m no longer the new kid on the block”, Bell-Drummond said.

“I’ve got a lot to take with me into this season. I’ve worked on my game over the winter, but like I said, I try not to think about it too much and just do the best I can and hopefully it will come off.”

Bell-Drummond also admitted that part of his growing experience means that he has to be able to be flexible with where he bats in the order.

“I’m an opening batsman by trade, but over the last few years I’ve batted at three quite a bit because the captain and vice-captain are opening, and I’ve got used to that role as well”, he said.

“I’m looking to improve my game against spin, and in the middle order. For me, I’m trying to be as versatile as I can, and bat wherever I’m needed.”

 

Pictures supplied by www.sarahansellphotography.com.