It’s getting to that time when we can think about the line-up we can expect to see from Kent when their County Championship season gets underway.

The Great British weather that we’ve been subjected to over the last few weeks might have left some feeling like the cricket season is a lifetime away, but in fact it is now less than two months until Kent kick off their LV= County Championship Division Two campaign away to Worcestershire.

That’s the plan, anyway. The pictures of the Worcestershire’s New Road ground almost completely underwater this week have not filled everyone with the greatest of confidence.

Worcestershire remain optimistic that the ground will be ready for the visit of Kent, starting April 13, although plans have been pencilled in for the venue to be moved to nearby Kidderminster if necessary.

Here at KSN, we’ve already started to think about what Kent’s potential starting XI may be, come that first competitive fixture of the season. This is what we’ve come up with:

 

Openers

The opening batsmen are perhaps the two most nailed on spots in the Kent XI for the season opener. Rob Key and Sam Northeast have been named as the club’s captain and vice-captain, respectively, for the 2014 season, and the pair have a good knowledge and understanding of both their own and each other’s game. Key had an excellent campaign in 2013, averaging just under 47 and notching five centuries and three fifties. Northeast had a tougher time in the Championship, making six fifties but failing to reach three figures, as he averaged 25.53, but his talent and ability is beyond doubt. Should injury or other unfortunate circumstance affect either opener, Daniel Bell-Drummond would be the likely face to fill in at the top of the order.

Batting order

The rest of the batting line-up is open to some debate, although there are two or three names who you can be sure will be in there. Brendan Nash has never let Kent down since his arrival at the club prior to the 2012 season, and last year was awarded his County Cap, averaging not far off 50 in 2013, with five centuries and five half-centuries, including his incredible 199 not out to snatch victory at Gloucestershire in July, having to retire with heat stroke just one run from his double-century.

Ben Harmison took great strides forward in 2013 after a tough debut season in Canterbury, chipping in with vital runs and making a place in the four-day side his own. He made both his first and second centuries of his Kent career in 2013, first away and then at home against Gloucestershire, and ended the season averaging 44.50 – an excellent return on his campaign.

Daniel Bell-Drummond remains highly rated, both at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, and around the rest of England as one of the country’s most promising young batsmen, but he endured a tough campaign, averaging less than 30 for the season. He may find his place in the batting line-up under threat from another youngster – 21-year-old Fabian Cowdrey, son of Chris and grandson of Colin. Cowdrey’s performances suggest he may well have the talent to continue his family’s rich cricketing heritage, and he may well be in line for a Championship start having made good progress in both T20 and one-day cricket in 2013.

Darren Stevens remains an undoubted favourite of the Kent faithful, and his incredible batting performances in 2013 will live long in the memory of all who witnessed them. Stevens made the fastest ever 40-over century (from just 44 balls) against Sussex, hitting a stunning 118 as Kent chased an improbable 337 to win, and then signed the season off in style, hitting a magnificent 205 not out against Lancashire on the final day to give Kent their sole home Championship win in 2013. Of course, his availability for the coming campaign is in doubt at present, with the results of his match-fixing trial in Bangladesh expected on February 26 and 27, but one thing is for sure – the Kent side would be much poorer for not having Stevo in it.

Wicket keeper

Geraint Jones is expected to keep the gloves for the start of the season, although he will be more than aware of Sam Billings breathing down his neck for his place in the side. Jones was another who struggled in 2013, making just two fifties in his 19 innings, and Billings’ continued improvement may well see him pushing Jones hard before too long; the youngster having replaced Jones for the final two Championship matches of 2013.

Bowlers

Despite standing down from the captaincy to focus on his international career, James Tredwell remains the club’s first choice spinner, though he struggled in Championship cricket last year, picking up just 17 wickets at an average of more than 55. Fellow spin option Adam Riley has never let Kent down when called on, and will be sure to do a good job whenever Tredwell is absent on England duty.

Calum Haggett gave an impressive showing during his first season at Kent, averaging 41.50 with the bat and a respectable 34.88 with the ball. His continuing development could see him turn into even more of a bowling all-rounder during 2014 and onwards.

Mark Davies is another favourite of the Kent faithful, and although he saw himself in and out of the side last year, he may well be seen as one of the more senior members of the attack in 2014, picking up 25 wickets at 25.16 during the last Championship campaign. Mitch Claydon featured for the club on loan last season, and has now made his move from Durham a permanent one, and is another solid, reliable and dependable option with the ball.

The club are still on the lookout for an overseas signing for 2014, believed to be an international bowler who would most likely go straight into the starting XI. In addition to this, Kent have David Griffiths, signed from Hampshire, to bolster the attack, alongside youngsters Adam Ball and Matt Hunn, both of whom impressed in the final game of the season against Lancashire.

Of course, there are still plenty of decisions for the club to make before the start of the season, but here is what we feel may well be the XI that make up the side for the season opener.

Key (c), Northeast, Nash, Cowdrey, Harmison, Stevens / Bell-Drummond, Jones (wk), Tredwell, Claydon, Davies, (overseas).