Sam Northeast has admitted that it was a “relief for everyone” at Kent when Darren Stevens was found not guilty in his match-fixing trial.

Stevens had been charged with two counts of failing to report an illegal approach, relating back to his time playing for the Dhaka Gladiators in the Bangladesh Premier League in 2013. However, the 37-year-old all-rounder was found not guilty, leaving him free to continue playing for Kent in the 2014 campaign.

“To be fair, he’s fitted back in like nothing really happened” said Northeast, after the Kent squad had enjoyed their first day of outdoors pre-season training.

“He’s that type of guy and we were all very happy for him at the time. For the balance of our team, he’s obviously brilliant, so it was a relief for everyone.”

“I think everyone’s moved on – I know Stevo will probably want to move on from the whole thing, so it’s happened, it’s in the past now and we can all move on.”

Northeast also spoke to KSN about new overseas signing Doug Bollinger. Although the Australian left-arm seamer has been called up to his country’s World T20 squad, he is likely to be available to Kent for the vast majority of the season.

“He’s done the business at Test level and stuff like that. I’m sure he’ll do well for us and add a bit of experience to our bowling line-up”, said Northeast.

Bollinger was a good coup for Kent, as a man with a wealth of international experience, having featured more than 50 times for Australia in all forms of cricket. His form in the longer form of the game also saw him on the fringes of the Australian squad for this winter’s Ashes series Down Under.

“He’ll probably lead the attack – something we probably need – so hopefully he can drag a few guys’ performances with him, too.” Northeast said.

When asked if he was perhaps slightly disappointed that Bollinger’s international call-up might see him miss the very start of Kent’s campaign, Northeast said that he did not expect it to have much of an effect.

“The only slight worry is that he might be in a bit of “Twenty20 mode” rather than hitting his four-day straps, but he’s a pretty experienced character by now” Northeast said.

“I’m sure he knows exactly what he’s got to do to perform. It’s not like he’s going to be missing any cricket. It is what it is, but it’s just good to have such a quality bowler for the whole year.”

 

Pictures of Sam Northeast and Darren Stevens supplied by www.sarahansellphotography.com