With the dust having settled on Kent’s first two Championship games of the season, we can take a look at what can be taken from their opening encounters.

Kent followed up a disappointing defeat at Worcestershire in their opening game with a draw at home to Leicestershire earlier this week, in what basically turned into a three-day game due to rain.

A positive declaration from captain Rob Key on the third of the four days was aimed at giving Kent an opportunity to force an unlikely win, but come the final day, Leicestershire chose to bat longer than many might have advised. They gave themselves little chance of dismissing Kent – they had them four-down by the close – and gave the home side absolutely no chance at all of chasing the required runs – 324 in a maximum of just 42 overs.

However, following their first two LV= County Championship games of the season, there are a few points to consider from what we have seen so far.

 

Doug Bollinger has all the makings of an excellent overseas signing

When he was announced as the club’s overseas signing for the entire seasons, Australian international Bollinger was a name that was greeted with excitement by Kent fans, and the 32-year-old has certainly started the season in exciting fashion, picking up 12 wickets at an average of just 19 in the first two games. That’s seven wickets more than any other Kent bowler, evidence that 32-year-old Bollinger looks set to play the role of focal point and leader of the attack throughout the 2014 campaign.

After Key’s declaration in the evening of day three against Leicestershire, Kent had eight overs in which they hoped to make a breakthrough prior to the morning of the final day. Bollinger tore in from the Nackington Road End, fired up, and sent down a four-over spell with aggression, bounce, and most importantly, genuine pace – something the Kent attack has been lacking in recent years. His reward was two wickets in two balls, and though Kent were unable to show the same penetration with the ball the next morning, Bollinger’s spell gave Kent fans a glimpse of what they might be able to expect for the rest of the season.

With this, the Kent attack will also be more than aware that there is still plenty of work from them to do. They have had problems knocking over the tail in both of their Championship games this season, something they must improve on if they are to improve on their record of just three games won in four-day cricket last year.

 

Stevo remains a force to be reckoned with, with bat and ball

After averaging 63.40 with the bat and 32.84 with the ball in 2013, the prospect of not having Darren Stevens back at Canterbury for the new campaign loomed large over The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence throughout the off-season. When the good news of him being cleared of all charges came through in February, his teammates, coaches and fans alike rejoiced at his being able to return to Kent, and his performances in the opening two games suggest he has picked up not far from where he left off at the end of last season.

Stevens has proved as reliable as ever with bat and ball in the opening two games, making a sprightly 48 from 61 balls in Kent’s first innings against Leicestershire as the side pushed towards a declaration, before making an unbeaten 34 as he and Daniel Bell-Drummond saw Kent safely through for the draw in the second knock. Stevo also took 3-46 in the visitors first innings, finding important breakthroughs at regular intervals for Kent in his 24 overs, whilst keeping it tight with an economy rate of just 1.91. If Kent are to have any chance of success in any competition this season, Stevens’ contributions with both bat and ball are sure, as ever, to play a major part in it.

 

The younger squad members are beginning to look at home in First Class Cricket

Prior to the season’s start, one of the “buzz topics” from speaking to anyone involved at the club was the fact that this was the season for some of the younger members of the Kent squad to stand up and grab their place in the First XI team. After a strong pre-season, 20-year-old Daniel Bell-Drummond has certainly staked his claim in the first two matches of the season, making fifties in both games as he top-scored for Kent in both of their first innings. After making an unbeaten 39 in the second innings against Leicestershire, too, DBD is currently averaging 57.33, form he’ll be looking to keep up for the rest of the season.

Sam Billings has impressed with the gloves in the opening two games, having been selected to keep wicket ahead of Geraint Jones. However, despite making an attractive 38 as Kent’s pushed towards the declaration against Leicestershire, he will know he needs a big performance or two with the bat to keep out the experienced Jones.

The 37-year-old former England wicket-keeper was dropped to the second XI with Billings preferred to start the season behind the stumps, but has given Jimmy Adams and the rest of the Kent decision makers plenty to think about, with scores of 100 not out and 92 in the last two weeks. Adam Ball also made an excellent 118 for the 2s this week, with head coach Jimmy Adams expressing his happiness at those performances, saying that upward pressure from strong second XI performances is one of the cornerstones of any successful team.

 

Both Jones and Ball could be pushing hard for a place in the team come Kent’s next County Championship match, which sees them welcoming Surrey to The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence; the game starting on Sunday 4 May 2014.

 

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