It goes without saying that Kent skipper Daniel Bell-Drummond is hoping that 2025 is far better for everyone at the Spitfire Ground, St. Lawrence as Kent look to return to Division One of the County Championship at the first time of asking. 

Relegated from the top flight in Bell-Drummond’s first year in charge, 2024 really was a summer where if it could go wrong on the field for the County, it did!

Ahead of Friday’s start to the new County season at Northampton, the county has a new coach with the skipper looking ahead with a fresh determination. 

“I’m really looking forward to this year,” the skipper admitted to KSN. “It was a tricky year in 2024 – a lot of things didn’t go our way; it was a lot to learn from!”

“Looking forward to this year as we have a new coach in place (Adam Hollioake), some new players added, and the new cricket ahead in Division Two – we are really looking forward to this year and not looking back!” 

“Having a new coach like Adam is great for the dressing room, and for me personally as I do think that he is one of the best captains ever to captain England as he is a leader of men and good tactically as well.”

“I will be able to get a lot of help from him and he will not only impact me but the whole team as well just with the messages he sends across.” 

“You never like losing so I can’t say that I “enjoyed” losing a lot, but in relative terms I was playing the sport that I love professionally – personally it wasn’t the worst year, but it was a definitely a tricky year!” 

“Division Two will still be good, strong cricket, but we need to get back to winning cricket matches and making sure that we compete for a long period of time.”

“Last year it wasn’t easy with all the injuries we had and apart from the bowlers we lost Joe Denly and Jack Leaning for long periods as well, so hopefully we get some luck on that front as well.” 

“The guys have reacted really well to Adam’s arrival,” the skipper told us.

“He is a great addition to the Club and when he speaks, everyone listens!” 

“There were occasions where we turned up last year outgunned at times as we had the injuries – Wes (Agar) and Charles (Swanepoel) both went home early; Wes injured and Charles recalled by South Africa A – we had to be realistic coming up against some of those teams and I think that has to change this year with a bit of luck.”

“I wasn’t surprised by the way the dressing room stuck together as it shows the group that we had in the changing room.” 

“The boys have wintered well and the trip that a group of us had to Mumbai was great – a lot of batting for the batters and the bowlers – Matt Quinn, Grant Stewart, Joey Evison – got through some good overs out there and it was very productive.”

“Elsewhere a lot of the guys have been away doing their own thing with the majority being in Australia and South Africa honing their skills. It’s been a productive winter for everyone really!” 

“It was great to see Matt Quinn back bowling well – he is a brilliant bowler especially in the red-ball format as he provides us control and it’s great seeing him back fit and hopefully, he will have a big year ahead of him!” 

“All I can say to the members and the supporters is that we will give our best and hopefully the results will follow. First and foremost, we will be fighting for every run and every wicket in the middle and our aim is to put a smile of your faces with some good results as well!”