Winning only option for Key

12 April 2008

Kent captain Robert Key is eager for more success

Click here to watch the full interview on ECBtv

Kent captain Rob Key has instilled a winning mentality at the county following their Twenty20 success in 2007 and admits he cannot stand to lose at anything.

Key, who scored a double hundred against West Indies at Lord’s, will skipper the county again in 2008 with what looks on paper a very useful squad with Pakistan’s Yasir Arafat back on board and former Pakistan Test all-rounder Azhar Mahmood joining from Surrey.

Key told ECBtv: “Whatever I am doing, whether it be playing a game of touch rugby before play or football in the warm-ups, all I want to do is win.

“At times I understand that I am not the greatest trainer but all I am geared towards is winning.

“We did a lot of hard work to get there not just in the game but off the pitch as well - Paul Farbrace, Graham Ford and Simon Willis spent hours working out how we could be made better one-day cricketers.

“When you are a bowler you have to have courage and occasionally take the pace off - your skills are that much more highlighted that you have to be that bit more clinical and your thought processes have to be that much quicker.

“How can every player get better he can we improve every area.

James Tredwell could be back in the England one-day squad

“Whoever you are - from Azhar Mahmood, coming to the end of his career, down to Sam Northeast - we ask the same questions: how are you going to get better; how are you going to maximise your potential? That is our whole philosophy."

Although Kent have a strong squad, they have relied on James Tredwell to provide them with a viable spin option since the retirement of Min Patel and it is hearteneing to see a young spinner like Charlie Hemphrey coming through.

England Lions tourist Amjad Khan is due to return to the side after a year out with a knee injury.

Key continued: “With James Tredwell playing so well, he might get back into the England one-day side, which obviously causes problems for us but would be great for him.

“We have been very impressed with a young guy called Charlie Hemphrey who has gone away and come back - so there are plans in place. That is probably one area we need cover.

“But we have as strong a squad as I can remember but it is all about getting off nought and getting as many wickets as you can.”