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April 29, 2008
Journalists get on their bike
Posted 1 week, 5 days ago in Miscellaneous
How do you get from the Brit Oval to Lord's without crossing the Thames? Six intrepid cyclists are about to prove it can be done and all in a good cause.
They are cycling from Kennington to St John's Wood the long way round, taking in all 18 first-class county headquarters - a trip of more than 1,000 miles over 16 days.
The tour has been devised by two cricket writers who spend most of their time pedalling opinions on the game: David Lloyd of the London Evening Standard and Colin Bateman of the Daily Express.
Continue reading "Journalists get on their bike"
March 7, 2008
Cancer Tests for England cricketers
Posted on 03/07/2008 in Miscellaneous
All first-class cricketers in England will be tested for skin cancer this season. In an initiative by the Professional Cricketers Association about 400 players will have checks for the disease.
October 5, 2007
Saggers extends Kent stay
Posted on 10/05/2007 in Kent
Martin Saggers has signed a contract extension with Kent which will keep him at the club until 2009. It means he will complete a decade at Kent after joining them from Durham in 1999. He was loaned out to Essex during the 2007 season, but ended with 19 wickets at 24 in the Championship as Kent narrowly avoided relegation from Division One.
September 19, 2007
Time for salary caps?
Posted on 09/19/2007 in
A fascinating report in The Guardian looks into how county cricket pays for itself… if it does… and whether or not salary capping is a good idea.
September 11, 2007
Kent appoint new academy director
Posted on 09/11/2007 in Kent
Kent have appointed Phil Relf as their new academy director, replacing Paul Farbrace who recently became Sri Lanka's assistant coach. Relf is currently a National Coach Development Manager with the ECB. He has already spent considerable time with Kent through his involvement with county age group cricket.
Graham Ford, Kent's director of cricket, said: “I am delighted that Phil will be joining us. He has a detailed knowledge of cricket in Kent and also has extensive coaching experience. We are confident he will carry this forward in getting the best out of the talent available within our academy.”
Relf added: “I am really excited about this new opportunity. Simon Willis and Paul Farbrace have laid a firm foundation for the Kent Academy and I am very much looking forward to taking the project on to the next stage.” He takes up the new role on 15 October.
July 23, 2007
Some county players earn less than minimum wage
Posted on 07/23/2007 in Miscellaneous
In The Sunday Telegraph , Steve James highlights the disparity between the high earners in English cricket and those at the bottom of the food chain.
The Professional Cricketers' Association estimates that a cricketer works about 50 hours a week (including play, travel, training and time spent away from home). This means, in broad terms, that a player needs to earn more than £7,000 per season to be over the minimum wage. There are definitely players earning less than that; indeed there are players earning as little as £3,000 per season.
May 23, 2007
Walker awarded benefit in 2008
Posted on 05/23/2007 in Kent
Kent have announced that Matthew Walker has been awarded a benefit for 2008. Walker, 33, joined the staff in 1992 and made his county debut in 1994, receiving his cap in 2000.
He captained England Under-19 to Pakistan in 1991-92 and still holds the record for the highest ever individual score by a Kent batsman at Canterbury (275 against Somerset in 1996).
April 13, 2007
Key caught 'sand-papering' ball
Posted on 04/13/2007 in Kent
Robert Key was caught using sandpaper on a ball during Kent's recent pre-season friendly against Nottinghamshire, but will not face any action from the club or ECB. The match, arranged between the two teams, was not an official ECB fixture so doesn't come under the jurisdiction. A picture taken by a freelance photographer showed Key using the sandpaper to assist reverse swing.
"The way the game is moving forward for bowlers nowadays is through reverse swing," Key told The Guardian, "so what we've tried to do throughout our pre-season nets was to get brand new balls, sandpaper one side, and let the boys practise bowling. It actually goes really well."
The two local officials, and Nottinghamshire's coach Mick Newell, say they saw nothing but would have at least asked questions of Key if they had.
February 9, 2007
Kent post a profit
Posted on 02/09/2007 in Kent
Kent's decision to dispose of the famous painting of their 1906 Championship-winning side by Albert Chevallier-Tayler enabled them to post a profit of £292,840 in 2006. The painting fetched £680,000 at auction in June
December 7, 2006
Khan awarded British citizenship
Posted on 12/07/2006 in Kent
Amjad Khan, the Kent fast bowler, is to be granted British citizenship.
Khan, 26, who was born in Denmark, has been with Kent since 1999 and will now be eligible for selection for England.
He said: “Ever since I came to Kent in 1999 I have wanted to play for England and this confirmation of my eligibility is a real boost to my ambition to play cricket at the highest level. I am working hard this winter at all aspects of my game and hope very much that next season I will continue to perform well for Kent and ultimately be successful in achieving further honours with England”.
November 15, 2006
Trio extend Kent contracts
Posted on 11/15/2006 in Kent
England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones is one of three Kent players who have agreed contract extensions with the club. He joins captain Robert Key and Martin van Jaarsveld in signing deals that will keep them at Canterbury until 2009.
Graham Johnson, the chairman of cricket, said: "Robert Key has made a major contribution to the club in his first year as captain whilst Martin has made a superb contribution with the bat. He is also an excellent example to all our young, aspiring cricketers.
He added that there are plans in place to cover for the loss of Jones if he returns to a full-time position in the England team. "We are obviously pleased to hear that Geraint is likely to be selected for the first Ashes Test and we all wish him well. There is a great deal of cricket to be played between now and the end of the next World Cup and I am sure we all hope that he will be successful in regaining his place in the England squad on a permanent basis.
"If, as we approach the 2007 domestic season, it becomes clear that Geraint may be away for prolonged periods we have in place contingency plans to ensure cover capable of delivering the right level of performance with both gloves and bat in our wicket keeping.”
Kent have also announced that they are in discussion with Martin Saggers in regard to a contract for the 2007 season. Saggers missed large parts of the last two seasons through injury and is looking to prove his return to full fitness before finalising a contract.
October 17, 2006
Key's first turn fails to open the door
Posted on 10/17/2006 in Kent
For Rob Key it was a vexing first campaign in charge. His own poor form, financial woes, the flogging of precious family jewels and a bitter response from reactionaries to some sensible development proposals hardly helped. Caught between generations – Fulton, Patel and Saggers fading, the youngsters still green – it hurt that, with Andrew Hall and Justin Kemp returning to South Africa earlier than last year, imported inspiration was scarce unless it came from Martin van Jaarsveld. As leader of a largely spiteless attack, Amjad Khan improved before a knee injury ended his season. Back-up, Min Patel apart, was fitful. Dwayne Bravo managed a six-for but was barely around long enough for an encore; Robbie Joseph hinted at promise; Simon Cook, Rob Ferley and James Tredwell ended strongly. But too often the main threat was from Darren Stevens’ lesser-spotted blend of spin and dob. Dominated by Van Jaarsveld and Matty Walker, who scored heavily in both forms, the batting was patchy though, if David Fulton has taken his last guard, at least he signed off with a hundred. But the balance sheet – 18 wins, 14 losses – may prove deceptive: the tunnel’s end is not in sight. Rob Steen The Wisden Cricketer
Key's first turn fails to open the door
Posted on 10/17/2006 in Kent
For Rob Key it was a vexing first campaign in charge. His own poor form, financial woes, the flogging of precious family jewels and a bitter response from reactionaries to some sensible development proposals hardly helped. Caught between generations – Fulton, Patel and Saggers fading, the youngsters still green – it hurt that, with Andrew Hall and Justin Kemp returning to South Africa earlier than last year, imported inspiration was scarce unless it came from Martin van Jaarsveld. As leader of a largely spiteless attack, Amjad Khan improved before a knee injury ended his season. Back-up, Min Patel apart, was fitful. Dwayne Bravo managed a six-for but was barely around long enough for an encore; Robbie Joseph hinted at promise; Simon Cook, Rob Ferley and James Tredwell ended strongly. But too often the main threat was from Darren Stevens’ lesser-spotted blend of spin and dob. Dominated by Van Jaarsveld and Matty Walker, who scored heavily in both forms, the batting was patchy though, if David Fulton has taken his last guard, at least he signed off with a hundred. But the balance sheet – 18 wins, 14 losses – may prove deceptive: the tunnel’s end is not in sight. Rob Steen The Wisden Cricketer
September 25, 2006
Fulton hints at retirement
Posted on 09/25/2006 in Kent
David Fulton is considering his options following his release by Kent. "There are some people who want to talk to me. I'd be silly not to hear what people say," he told the BBC.
But he indicated that retirement is the favourite option. "I've had one professional club, Kent, and one league club, Sevenoaks Vine, and that's probably how it'll stay. I've got a couple of job plans outside cricket and at the moment that look more likely."
September 14, 2006
Ford agrees new Kent deal
Posted on 09/14/2006 in Kent
Graham Ford has agreed a new contract to remain as Kent's coach until at least 2008.
Ford doesn't have any silverware to show for his time at Kent but has a crop of young players on the staff such as Joe Denly who made 86 in the current Championship match.
After taking the new deal Ford said: "There is still a lot to do. I am keen to add strength to our first team, build depth in our back-up squad and work to bring through some of our outstanding Academy talent.
"There are a lot of talented cricketers in Kent and I am quite sure that with the help and guidance of our coaching team, we can continue to ensure that Kent competes for success in all competitions.”
Graham Johnson, the chairman of cricket, added: “I am delighted that Graham has agreed to commit to the club for a further two years. During his time with us he has made a significant impact across all aspects of the club’s cricket development and this year has worked particularly well with our new captain, Rob Key. He is genuinely excited by the potential of the club both on and off the field."
September 13, 2006
Fulton fears the end
Posted on 09/13/2006 in Kent
David Fulton, who has been left out of the Kent side for their latest Championship match against Yorkshire, fears his days as a Kent player are coming to an end. He is still waiting to hear from the club about an offer for next season, but says he is likely to retire if nothing is forthcoming.
Fulton told The Kent Messenger: "After almost 200 games for the club it would have been nice to go out on my own terms. There is little place for sentiment in professional sport and I fully understand that.
"I have put a proposal to the club for next year because they are well aware I would love to put something back into the county. What comes of that I don't know as yet, but I wouldn't like to think my last shot in cricket was that poorly played pull that got me out against Sussex last week."
Fulton has played 199 games for Kent, and this season has scored 814 runs at 33.91, but was overlooked in favour of Joe Denly for the match at Headingley
September 3, 2006
Bravo for Bravo
Posted on 09/03/2006 in Kent
The latest fabulous Bajan Boy may be at loggerheads with his home board but Graham Ford would not be in the least surprised to see Dwayne Bravo one day toss a coin on behalf of the Caribbean.
“He is a very impressive man, obviously a deep thinker about the game,” says Ford, Kent’s coaching director. “He talks about field placings for particular batsmen before he bowls; he’s already looking at their weaknesses before he confronts them. He seems to get on well with people and I can imagine him as a Test captain. Obviously Lara’s helped him a lot and you can’t get a better mentor than Brian Charles Lara.”
And the return of Geraint Jones to county cricket? “Geraint took on the challenge of improving his keeping and he’s achieved it,” says Ford, “but something had to suffer. County cricket is a good place to find form away from the pressure. The class is there.”
The Wisden Cricketer, Rob Steen
August 7, 2006
Fulton ponders future
Posted on 08/07/2006 in Kent
David Fulton has hinted that this might be his last season with Kent. After scoring a century in the draw against Hampshire during Canterbury Cricket Week he told BBC Radio Kent: "This could well be my last cricket week. It might well be the case, no further comment on that, but if it is my last it's a good one to go out on."
August 1, 2006
Steven bowls in
Posted on 08/01/2006 in Kent
David Fulton has taken special delight in the effervescent all-round contributions of Darren Stevens, who had bowled more first-class overs by the end of June than in eight summers at Grace Road.
“I was instrumental in getting him here,” the former captain says, with no trace of false modesty, of a player whose talent had plainly been going to seed. “Leicestershire had released him but the people I spoke to there – Paul Nixon, Neil Burns and others – all said he had ability. Being released focuses the mind.
“He’s a very talented guy coming of age. He’d like to have scored a few more runs early on [this season] but he’s made up for it to an extent with his bowling. He’s a handful in the right conditions, the way he swings and nibbles. He’s been working on making off-spin a third string to his bow and at Old Trafford he asked if he could try it out. Martin van Jaarsveld, who was acting captain, gave him a shot – and he got Stuart Law, which isn’t shabby.
Rob Steen, The Wisden Cricketer
July 30, 2006
Players thrive on steep earning curve
Posted on 07/30/2006 in Derbyshire
Steve James, the former Glamorgan and England opener, has revealed that the average salary for a county player is around £40,000. Surrey top the pay league, with their players earning an average salary of £60,000, and that excludes the bumper earnings of their overseas recruits. Yorkshire are at the bottom of the pay league, with an average salary of £30,000.
Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, James's article has gone a long way to dispelling the belief that county cricketers are sports paupers. While they still might to be able to hold a candle to any footballers in the Premier League, their pay is not as bad as it once was.
Click here for the full story.
July 6, 2006
Henderson to stay at Kent
Posted on 07/06/2006 in Kent
Kent have announced that Tyron Henderson is to stay at the club until the end of the season. Taken on initially for the Twenty20 Cup matches, Henderson has already made a major impact on the club's 2006 campaign.
The Kent Chief Executive, Paul Millman, said: "We are delighted that Tyron has agreed to stay with us for the rest of this season. He has fitted into the dressing room very quickly and has made a fantastic contribution to our Twenty20 success. We very much look forward to seeing him play in both the County Championship and Pro40."
Henderson replaced Justin Kemp as Kent's second overseas player, following Kemp's early return to South Africa on international duties.
June 27, 2006
Kent sell Chevallier painting
Posted on 06/27/2006 in Kent
Kent County Cricket Club have announced that the painting by Albert Chevallier Tayler of the Kent v Lancashire match at Canterbury in 1906 has been sold at Sotheby's for £600,000.
The painting of the Kent side which won the County Championship in 1906 was hung at the St Lawrence Ground at Canterbury until 1999 when it became too expensive for the Club to insure and was loaned to MCC and displayed at Lord's.
Kent County Cricket Club Chairman, Carl Openshaw, said: "The decision to sell the painting was a difficult one, but the finances of county cricket clubs are becoming increasingly fragile and, since it was no longer possible to display it at Canterbury, we took the view that the proceeds should be used to help to ensure the longer-term future of the Club.
June 23, 2006
I'm a journalist, get me out of here
Posted on 06/23/2006 in Kent
It’s not all glamour being a cricket reporter ploughing your way round the county circuit. The Daily Telegraph’s Charles Randall seemed to have had more than enough of Canterbury, where a combination of some dreadfully dull batting from Kent and a pitch with as much life as a cadaver finally did for him.
“A huge total on an easy-paced strip should impose fatigue and 'scoreboard pressure' on the opposition, though this ponderous exercise at the St Lawrence Ground proved unedifying as neither side gained maximum batting or bowling points.
Kent's cynical effort provided minimal personal development value, minimal entertainment and very little advantage in the table against one of the lowest counties.”
June 20, 2006
Score unsettled
Posted on 06/20/2006 in Kent
While Kent were dodging the downpours at The Rose Bowl, David Fulton found himself in a poker game sitting next to Shane Warne, whose vast wrath Fulton felt last September when that 1,000-1 shot of an arranged chase handed – as Warne saw it – the Championship to Nottinghamshire at Hampshire’s expense. “I felt a bit uneasy at first,” admits Fulton, now “thoroughly enjoying” a life of reduced responsibility. “Eventually I asked ‘Are we going to talk about this?’ He
grunted, so I said, ‘I presume I’m not forgiven.’ He said: ‘No. We move on but I’m still shitty about it.’
“Shane said it was a ridiculous chase. I said we did have a chance, however slim, and that, as it was our only route to winning the title and I’d made up my mind it was my last season as captain, I had to go for it. Still, our relationship was back on an even keel. I took all the money on the last hand, though, which was quite satisfying.”
There was no Kent generosity in this game, though. “Keysy didn’t want to know,” said Warne after offering a run chase. “We got down to 240 off 65 overs but they still weren’t interested at all. If I was offered that I’d take it anywhere in the world.”
Rob Steen, The Wisden Cricketer
June 14, 2006
Kent put faith in youngsters
Posted on 06/14/2006 in Kent
Kent have announced that it has agreed long-term development contracts with Paul Dixey and Sam Northeast. Dixey, 18, and Northeast, 16, are two of Kent Academy’s outstanding talents. In reaching these agreements, the club has agreed to work with both to further develop their cricketing abilities to the age of 21.
Northeast is already making his mark and earlier this season hit a half-century against the Sri Lankans at Wormsley.
Paul Farbrace, the academy director, said: “I am thrilled that Paul and Sam have committed themselves to the club. We look forward to working with them to make the most of their undoubted talents and, hopefully, in the longer term help them to develop long and successful careers with Kent and beyond.”
June 9, 2006
van Jaarsveld happy at Kent
Posted on 06/09/2006 in Kent
Martin van Jaarsveld, the former South African batsman, believes he made the right decision to give up his Test career and play for Kent under the Kolpak ruling. In nine Tests he averaged 31 and never really established himself in the middle order.
van Jaarsveld his averaging 57 this season and told BBC Radio Kent: "I was a little bit disappointed to get three 80s so far, as I'm normally good at converting, but I'm happy with my form. I'm so happy with the decision I made, as I'm loving playing with Kent."
May 20, 2006
Denly enjoys workout
Posted on 05/20/2006 in Kent
Joe Denly certainly made good use of Kent's fixture against Cambridge UCCE at Fenners, striking two centuries in the match. Denly, 26, who is not yet a regular in Kent's first team, reached his maiden first-class century in the first innings and followed that with an unbeaten 107 in his second knock. For good measure he also bagged three wickets in the match.
May 12, 2006
Time for a tune
Posted on 05/12/2006 in Kent
What do you need when you’re languishing mid-table in the Championship? Well, if you’re Kent, a rousing tune wouldn’t go amiss. Handy, then, that they’ve just come up with their own song - This is Our Time. ( more details here) Other cricketers may fancy themselves as singers – Mark Butcher, Andrew Flintoff and Darren Gough for example – but Kent is the first club to release its very own club song.
David Fulton, Martin Saggers, Niall O’Brien, Simon Cusden, Matt Dennington and Neil Dexter have all been roped into, er, lent their vocal talents to the production. But only time will tell if it really is Kent’s time…
May 9, 2006
Patel out for a fortnight
Posted on 05/09/2006 in Kent
Min Patel will be out of action for two weeks after aggravating a groin injury in last week's Championship game against Lancashire.
"Groins, I'm told, are notoriously bad for never going away," Patel said. "It's something I've had for a couple of years. It disappears for months on end and reappears out of nowhere."
April 28, 2006
O'Brien reprimanded for outburst
Posted on 04/28/2006 in Kent
The ECB has confirmed that Niall O'Brien, the Kent wicketkeeper, has received a reprimand under the ECB's discipline code following an incident during Kent's County Championship match against Durham on 19-23 April.
O'Brien was reported by the umpires, Peter Willey and Allan Jones, for a level one breach of the code, which involves using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting.
The penalty remains on O'Brien's record for a period of two years. Any
further level one breach during that period will result in an automatic three penalty points.
April 12, 2006
Middlesex and Kent draw in the cold
Posted on 04/12/2006 in Middlesex
Middlesex’s drew with Kent in a two-day pre-season friendly at Canterbury in temperatures which were close to freezing. Both sides batted for a total of 90 overs and Middlesex used 13 players and Kent 15.
Middlesex made 270 first time round, Paul Weekes scoring 62, and Kent reached 98 for 2 at the close. Kent reached 365 for 7, with Neil Dexter bringing up his hundred shortly before the umpires brought play to a premature close as rain added to the general unpleasantness.
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