Fast bowler Matt Coles is looking to put the past behind him and do well for Kent this coming season.

The 22 year old was sent home from the England Lions tour to Australia along with Durham’s Ben Stokes at the end of February after breaking a curfew.

Now back with Kent and in pre-season training, Coles is looking to put that behind him and show both the England selectors and the Kent management that he means business and that he has learnt from the whole experience:

“I want to prove to everybody that I can make the changes that are necessary and that I need to do to get where I want to be and that’s playing at the best level I can.”

“I need to prove to everybody that I can change and will change. I want to get back to where I want to be and am looking forward to this season working hard for Kent and hopefully bringing home some sort of trophy.”

“It’s going to be tough like last year and hopefully the weather will be better than last year.”

The weather has been one of the hot topics despite it being so cold and Coles admitted it had been a challenge in pre-season trying to bowl with so many layers on, but was seeing the squad pull together as a result:

“It’s been a bit chilly and last year was a bit warmer than this out in Antigua, but it’s good for the lads as it will help us if we are in this position again.”

“If we have to train in these conditions, it’s only going to be good for the lads.”

Last year saw Coles not only hold his own with the ball in his hand, but with the bat too and this year he is hoping to improve his batting and prove more useful to the side:

“I think my batting is improving year by year so hopefully this year I can achieve a lot more with the bat.”

“It’s getting better and I want to show that I am not just a bowler that bats a bit, but maybe be considered more of an all-rounder.”

Competition for places is stronger than ever at Kent this year with Adam Ball, Ivan Thomas, Ashley Shaw and Calum Haggett all pushing for a place in the County Championship XI and Coles knows he will have to be on his toes this year if he wants to keep his place in the side:

“It’s good this year that we’ve got a bit more depth, they can all come straight into the team and are all good players, so there’s a lot more competition for places.”

“It’s good that we can have rotation amongst the seamers, so that people can get a rest when they need it.”

“This year, with that depth in the squad, hopefully we can get some great outcomes for the club.”

“We have just all got to concentrate day by day and game by game and need to get a good start to the season and then build from those performances.”

Coles is expected to take his place in the Kent side as they take on Surrey over two days beginning on Tuesday at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury.

Play is scheduled to start at 11am with entry free for spectators.