Sam Northeast feels he has had a positive pre-season so far as Kent step up their preparations for 2014.

With the first team squad having completed their first outdoor session of pre-season today, KSN spoke to the club’s new vice-captain to see how his preparations for the new campaign were taking shape.

“I think all the lads were pretty happy to get outside to be honest”, said Northeast when KSN caught up with him after the net session.

“Some of us haven’t been out, so it’s a bit of a relief to get outside. It’s like anything – it’s completely different than inside – it’s going to take a bit of time to get used to playing on surfaces again. There’s not much carry at the moment – it’s a bit slow outside – but I think everyone’s chuffed to get out there, really!”

Unlike a number of members of the squad, including the likes of Daniel Bell-Drummond, Sam Billings, Fabian Cowdrey and Calum Haggett, Northeast did not head overseas to play during the winter break; instead staying at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence to work on his game.

“It’s mostly been technical stuff with a variety of coaches – obviously Walks and Wilco and Jimmy”, the 24-year-old explained, talking about his pre-season work. “It’s been reviewing last year and seeing where we can go forward and doing stuff with the [bowling] machine.”

Northeast was keen to press, however, the importance of getting outside and getting some proper net sessions in.

“Until you get outside against bowlers, you can’t really test it out. Pre-season has been quite good for me to just get out and see if the improvements are working, which hopefully they will.”

“I’m happy with where I’m at, but it’s going to be a complete change. Hopefully over the next few weeks we can train pretty hard on grass – have as many hits as possible and then see where we go.”

It was time for the dreaded pre-season fitness tests for the Kent squad last week, and though Northeast admitted that the tests are a far from pleasant experience, he understood their importance and necessity.

“No-one ever really enjoys that day, but it’s good to get it in the bank and put it behind you. It’s a must now. We’ve got a new strength and conditioning coach [Jon Fortescue] who’s come in with new ideas and it’s a must of the game at the moment – it’s where the game is being taken.

“You’ve got to be pretty fit with Twenty20 cricket and those little “one percent-ers”. No-one enjoys it, but it’s good to get it out the way!”

 

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