Adam Hollioake believes Kent’s return to County Championship Division 2 could help form some of their talented young players’ careers.
New head coach Hollioake’s first summer in charge will see Kent play in the second tier of red-ball cricket for the first time since 2018.
While that is, undoubtedly, a blow, it does also provide opportunities.
Division 2 cricket could hand players, such as all-rounders Jaydn Denly and Ekansh Singh, as well as namesake bowler Jas Singh, more County Championship first-team chances.
Hollioake said: “Four-day cricket does give you a bit more time to work out what your strengths are.
“T20 and 50-over cricket, they can be a little bit more fast-paced and there’s a bit more pressure on you to get things right in the short term.
“But I think good Championship cricket gives you a good chance to work out your basics and form your career.”
Kent struggled to get going last campaign, with their bowling attack badly hit by injuries.
They haven’t signed any new domestic bowlers this winter, although will hope to have Matt Quinn, Michael Cohen and Dutch international Fred Klaassen available on a more regular basis.
On the opportunities second-tier red-ball cricket can provide, Hollioake said: “It’s really exciting.
“It’s almost like a blank canvas and a fresh start, isn’t it? A lot of guys were injured last year – there were a lot of injuries to our bowling attack – so, hopefully, we’ll have them fresh this year.
“It’s a good start, being able to take 20 wickets or at least having a bowling attack that’s capable of taking 20 wickets.
“I think we’ll be pretty buoyant.”
But equally, the experience of skipper Daniel Bell-Drummond, vice-captain Jack Leaning and sidelined 39-year-old bowling all-rounder Joe Denly will be vital in guiding the younger players.
Hollioake said: “It’s always good to have a nice blend.
“There are some guys in the prime of their career and then some young enthusiasm.
“If you have all experienced players, that tends to suggest some of them are getting old.
“But you don’t want to have all young players – they tend to be without the guidance – so we have got a nice blend.”
Naturally, there are plenty of new faces for Hollioake to get used to at Kent, but some he has previously crossed paths with, as well.
He stated: “Daniel Bell-Drummond, I’d spoken to him in the past about captaincy.
“George Garrett I saw out in Australia this winter and Sam Billings is someone that I’ve come across when I’ve been coaching with England.
“But it’s pretty new with most of the other guys, although Joey Evison is another I’d seen out on the Gold Coast, as well, and Joe Denly is one that I’d probably played against!
“It’s mainly new, even though there’s a handful of players that I’ve had some kind of crossover with.”
