New role leaves Tredwell honoured

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James Tredwell is “proud” to have been given the opportunity to lead a Kent side that he believes is heading in the right direction.

Tredwell was handed the reins at Canterbury yesterday after Rob Key opted to end his seven-year stint as captain in a slightly unexpected move.

Speaking about his appointment in an exclusive interview with ecb.co.uk, Tredwell said: “I am very proud having come through the system.

James Tredwell has spoken of his pride at being named Kent's captain. The spinner replaces Rob Key, who relinquished the role after seven years

“It is obviously something that occupies your thoughts growing up and seeing all the people who have done it. It’s a massively proud moment.”

The off-spinner takes over a team that narrowly missed out on promotion to Division One of the LV= County Championship and also came extremely close to securing a Clydesdale Bank 40 semi-final spot last season.

Tredwell believes that impressive campaign was one of the reasons for Key’s decision to step down, suggesting his predecessor would only have done so when Kent were on the right track.

“I think Rob thoroughly enjoyed the role, but, like everything in life, things become a bit of a grind after a while,” he admitted. “There are a lot of things that need to be done off the field as well as on the field and I think that was getting to him a bit.

“One of the reasons Keysy chose this time is because we have set up quite a good team now. The signings made last year have bedded in nicely.

“We have some experienced players that are working nicely with our talented youngsters and things are set up for us to kick on from last year and hopefully go one step further in at least one competition.”

Despite his decision to step down from the role of skipper, Key will still have an important role to play in helping Kent’s new leader.

“I think he is looking forward now to just getting back to his batting,” said Tredwell. “We all know what a class player he is and I am sure he’s still got plenty of runs in him over the coming seasons.

“It would be stupid of me not to try and use him (as a resource to help) because his cricket brain is excellent. Those seven years, with him as captain, were great for me.”

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