Harry Finch is backing former Kent head coach Matt Walker to be a success in his new role.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Finch is delighted to see the man who gave him a second chance in the professional game back on the county scene as he adapts to working under new Kent head coach Adam Hollioake.
Finch said: “I’ve not been here as long as some of the other guys – I probably only played under Walksie for a couple of years – and he did amazingly well here.
“I don’t think it was a case of him dropping off. It was just one of those things where, if you have been somewhere for so long, the messaging sometimes doesn’t quite get through.
“But it’s great to see he has got straight back in the game at Warwickshire. He’ll be amazing there.
“Obviously, there’s a few differences with ‘Smokes’ – he seems to be a bit more direct – and there’s a freshness with ‘Smokes’ with regards to him not really coaching recently.
“He has been away from the game and done other bits so he’s coming in with a bit of a different perspective, as well. As a group of players, it felt – for us and for Walksie – it was probably just the best thing for a little bit of a change.
“I know Walksie is in a really good place from when I saw him this winter. I’m thrilled he has managed to get the job at Warwickshire.
“The same for the lads, there’s now a level of uncomfortableness around the group which is what you need. You need people out of their comfort zone and, potentially, worrying about selection and competition.
“That brings out the best in people.”
Kent are expected to play Warwickshire at Rugby School on August 13 in the One-Day Cup, although 51-year-old Walker – who is expected to retain his assistant coach position at Oval Invincibles in the Hundred competition – is unlikely to get the opportunity to come up against his former club on that occasion.
Finch can already see the environment Walker’s replacement, Hollioake, is attempting to create coming to fruition.
“He’s a lot more chilled-out than I thought he was going to be,” Finch, 30, revealed.
“But he’s clearly got a switch where he goes pretty serious and he’s made it pretty clear what he expects from all of us. I think he’s really good.
“The environment he has already started to create, you can see that.”
