Kent have gone into today’s Championship match across the Bridge in Essex with their squad stretched to almost breaking point after a busy spell of cricket across June and July.

Speaking to KSN on the eve of the game at Chelmsford, coach Matt Walker admitted, “The last couple of weeks have been like that unfortunately and we’re still suffering from a hectic June and sadly it hasnt got any better for this game!”

“It is what it is – we’ll crack on with it with the squad more or less the same as played Warwickshire last week. Boys are slowly getting back but not quick enough unfortunately and thats the hand that we’ve been dealt.”

“There was a little bit of a gap between the two games so it’s given the lads a chance to have a little rest before moving onto two games that will now follow on very quickly.”

“Hopefully this week won’t be too heavy on the seam bowlers to dictate who’s available for Trent Bridge next week.”

“We’ve got a couple coming back and hopefully they may be included in Nottingham.”

“We concentrate on Chelmsford first though and focus on what’s ahead of us this week and try our best to get a result!”

“There’s no question that the first day last week was one of the worst, if not the worst day’s cricket we’ve played collectively this summer.”

“I think that’s fair and we lost the game in the first forty overs – it was a good wicket and a good toss to win! To be bowled out in forty overs for 170 which in honesty was flattering given the way that Grant (Stewart) batted at the end.”

“It was nowhere near enough and we expected them to post a score of 350/400 plus and you’re fighting for your lives with two days left!”

“It was so disappointing considering how we’d batted in the couple of weeks before in the T20 and then against Surrey and Northants to put in a performance like we did in the first innings killed us there and then.”

“It’s tight at the bottom – it’s a dog fight, we know that and the win against Northants was crucial, but we need another one or two before the end of the season as we can’t rely on other people’s results week after week as they’ll probably have a win at some stage.”

“There’s twists in the tails that happen towards the end of the season and we’ve got to make sure that we try and control the situation.”

“We can do that and hopefully a couple of wins changes everything. We’ve got to work very hard for it – we’ve lost Wes (Agar) and other seamers are still missing.”

“Daniel’s (Bell-Drummond) out, but that’s the reason we have a squad as it gives the chance for others to step up and we need them to step up this week.”

“Wes was very keen to stay and play in this game, but we had to respect the injury and what South Australia want to do as he’s got potentially an Aussie A game coming up and we have to respect that when there’s an injury they get nervous and want to get him back to look after him – totally respect all of that!”

“He stayed on longer than he planned to do originally and I can’t thank him enough as he’s been outstanding as a pro – he’s set the dressing room alight with his personality and his hard work.”

“He really has been a model pro in everything he’s done; he has been fantastic and we couldn’t have asked anymore from anyone who’s come to this country for the first time.”

“He’s much loved in the dressing room and has worked very hard on and off the field and it’s a shame he wasn’t able to stay, but goes home with our very best wishes…”

Picture supplied by Max Flego Photography.