Kent have named a 12-man squad for their County Championship game against Gloucestershire, starting at Canterbury tomorrow.

Kent are without Matt Coles, who is serving the first of a two-match ban handed out by the ECB Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) after accruing penalty points in the county’s win over Glamorgan this week.

Coles was reported by umpires Nick Cook and Rob Bailey for a Level Two breach (throwing the ball at or near a player, umpire or official in an inappropriate and dangerous manner) during the Glamorgan game.

He had previously received a reprimand following three penalty points following a Level 1 breach in August 2014 and six penalty points following a Level 2 breach in September 2014. The penalty for a subsequent breach at Level 2 within 24 months is six penalty points. Coles has therefore received a total of twelve penalty points, triggering an automatic suspension.

Matt Hunn is included in the squad for this week’s game against Gloucestershire in his place, with the 22-year-old seamer set to make his first appearance of the season if selected.

The only other change to the Kent squad sees Alex Blake included in place of Sean Dickson, who misses out with a hand injury.

Kent will be hoping that new opening pair Daniel Bell-Drummond and Tom Latham continue to impress, having become only the third ever Kent opening pair to put on two century opening stands in the same County Championship match against Glamorgan. Both men also passed fifty in each innings, in what was overseas signing Latham’s debut for the club.

Hugh Bernard, who made his First Class debut in the win over Glamorgan, also keeps his place, having taken three wickets in the match.

For the visitors, fast bowler Craig Miles is included; another who will make his first appearance of the season if selected. Miles, who took 46 wickets in the County Championship last season, is fit again having not played since Gloucestershire’s game against Durham MCCU a month ago.

Miles takes the place of Liam Norwell, who is left out for medical reasons.

Kent captain Sam Northeast praised the depth of the squad that he currently has at his disposal at Kent, and said that competition for places was fierce.

“We have got a lot of youngsters bidding for spots and we have a big squad and no place is safe”, the 26-year-old said.

“It’s something we’ve been building over the last few years and we have got a lot of players coming through pressurising the first team. Selection is pretty tough at the moment and everyone is playing for their place.

“We have a very good side and if we play our best cricket we are in with a shout of winning every game we play.”

Kent Chairman of Cricket Graham Johnson has released a statement following Coles’ suspension, in which he vehemently defended the actions of the seam bowler.

“In the light of the steps taken by ECB Cricket Discipline Commission I feel it only right to defend the position of Matt Coles.

“Since his return to Kent, at the start of last season, Matt has demonstrated that he has learnt from things in the past.  He has applied himself to his role on the field and represented Kent Cricket, to good effect, in off field activities.

“Players carry points over a 24 month period and the two previously reported incidents are from August 2014 whilst Matt was at Hampshire.

“In the light of the points applied for his actions during the Glamorgan game, Matt had points added to those accrued before his return to Kent, hence the consideration by the Panel and the sentence handed down.

“Kent made representations to the Cricket Discipline Commission regarding the breach. However, the CDC Chairman’s nominee, Mr Chris Tickle, did not consider that the consequences of this penalty might produce a result that was manifestly unfair. Under the process relating to cricket discipline there is no opportunity to appeal the outcome or the CDC’s decision.

“The outcome in this set of circumstances I believe is disproportionate, it does not reflect the seriousness of the recent incident and does nothing to help a cricketer who has made such big strides since returning to Kent.  The resultant outcome is therefore deeply frustrating.

“Matt will have our continuing support and I know he cannot wait to be back on the field representing the Club.”

 

Kent squad: Bell-Drummond, Latham, Denly, Northeast*, Blake, Stevens, Rouse†, Haggett, Hunn, Claydon, Riley, Bernard.

Gloucestershire squad: Dent, Bancroft, Cockbain, Roderick*, Marshall, Hankins, Noema-Barnett, J Taylor, Shaw, Payne, Miles, Hampton.

 

Photograph of Matt Hunn courtesy of Sarah Ansell Photography