Both Kent coach Jimmy Adams and captain Rob Key have backed batsman Sam Northeast to make a return to the first team.

The 22 year old right handed batsman has found himself out of the side for the first three games of the season, but recent displays for the second eleven have led to calls for him to be promoted back into the first eleven.

Northeast followed up his 166 for a joint Kent & Essex XI with 68 not out for Kent’s second eleven against a Kent Premier League eleven on Sunday.

Having enjoyed a place in the County Championship side for most of last season, Northeast has found he has been forced down the pecking order since the arrival of the likes of Mike Powell, Ben Harmison and Brendan Nash, but coach Jimmy Adams believes he is doing all the right things to secure a return to the first eleven:

“To miss out on first team selection and give an answer like he has done in the past week or ten days is an ideal situation.”

“Having competition for places doesn’t allow for any complacency at the top and it also says to the first team selectors, if there is a space available, I’m ready.”

“I think it’s critical that we have that level of player who has that attitude coming into the team and credit to Sam. I can’t ask for anything more than what he has done and I’m sure it bodes well for when his opportunity does come as I’m sure it will do.”

Rob Key spent some time batting with Northeast last season and believes the youngster has the temperament to make a return to the first eleven in the near future:

“Sam Northeast’s playing really well and he’s giving us options. I’ve spoken to Sam quite a lot and we felt that he needed to go away and score some runs.”

“In pre-season, he grafted pretty hard for his runs, without really finding his rhythm and sometimes it can be the best thing that can happen to you, going into the second team.”

“Maybe at times I could have done with it, along with other players here at Kent, rather than struggled in the first team.”

“Getting a 160 and you feel like you’re on top of the world again.”

“Hopefully, Sam’s opportunities aren’t too far away.”

Northeast seems set to have wait just a little longer for a return to the first team with Yorkshire visiting Kent this week for the latest County Championship game.

However, with the class that he has shown in recent seasons, his time will come again.

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