Lure of promotion excites Adams

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Jimmy Adams is delighted to see Kent in the promotion shake-up in Division Two of the LV= County Championship as the closing weeks of the season approach.

In his first season at the helm at Canterbury, former West Indies batsman Adams has overseen a string of impressive performances in the four-day arena.

With seven games remaining, Kent, who finished eighth in Division Two last term, remain unbeaten and are just five points adrift of second-placed Hampshire, their next opponents, with a game in hand on their rivals.

Speaking on the latest edition of the ECB Podcast, head coach Adams said: “I’m very thankful that, at this point in the season, we still have a carrot in front of us to aim for.

“That is a position that has been earned through the team applying themselves to situations and applying themselves well.

“All credit to the players; they are the ones who have to soak up the pressure day-in, day-out and deal with the expectations, and they are doing it well.

“The main issue for me is one of attitude and the attitude has been very good, positive.

Sam Northeast is one of several youngsters to have impressed for Kent this term and Jimmy Adams believes they can "go on to big things."

“The onus is on us to maintain our standards and try and see if we can maybe keep lifting them. If we can do that I will accept whatever comes at the end of the season.”

Kent’s improvement is all the more admirable given the transitional period the club currently finds itself in.

“We’ve had to mould a team; some of the lads have come from outside Kent, joining Kent for the first time. I, obviously, am new here as well, so it’s been a case of trying to get everybody together, thinking the same way and at the same time trying to achieve some good cricket in the middle,” Adams explained.

“A lot of foundation work is being done and will continue to be done for the course of this season, but I think the players have responded well and we have had some good performances both individually and collectively.”

The input of experienced new arrivals such as Charlie Shreck, Mike Powell and Mark Davies has proven invaluable.

“Everybody has made a contribution, both on and off the field, and I must say, in regards of what we are trying to build here, it has been a fantastic output from these gentlemen,” Adams added.

“They carry the right attitude; they are winners by nature.”

Kent also boast a host of gifted youngsters, who have been given the opportunity to thrive this summer.

Adams is excited by the talent at his disposal, which includes the likes of England Under-19 captain Adam Ball and Lions all-rounder Matt Coles.

“Sam Northeast is coming into some really good form across all versions; Sam Billings has put his hand up across the T20s and the Pro40,” said the Jamaican.

“We have Adam Ball, who has performed creditably in all the one-day competitions; Matt Coles, at 21, 22, has already been identified by the England selectors as one for the future.

"Daniel Bell-Drummond is itching for a place in first-team cricket, but totally dominating the second team environment, and young Adam Riley has come in as a late replacement for (James) Tredwell under pressure in T20 cricket.”

“I think we have the makings of a really good core group of young men between 19 and 24 who can go on to big things.”

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