An overseas player for this season’s Friends Provident t20 could still be a possibility for Kent as the county look to maximise the use of the club’s improved facilities before the competition is trimmed next year.
The cash-strapped county couldn’t afford to start the season with an overseas player and were hopeful they could save some money by going without one this summer, instead relying on a small squad bolstered by several youngsters from the club’s Academy.
Indeed, chairman George Kennedy was adamant during the winter and pre-season the club would not risk its financial future to sign an expensive international star.
However, with the need to make the most of eight home t20 fixtures this year before it’s scaled down to just five next summer, coupled with Kent’s disappointing start to the season, an overseas signing could help bring the crowds in and improve their fortunes on the field.
It’s meant a more relaxed stance on the county’s policy on an overseas player, with Kennedy for the first time admitting Kent may well be in the market to sign someone for the 20-over competition.
"It will depend very much on how the club performs over the next couple of weeks," he said.
"We’ve got nobody in mind, but if an opportunity came along that was affordable we’d certainly look at it, but we don’t have any immediate plans to sign any big overseas stars right now. If someone wanted to come along and sponsor one that would be useful. Having got the finances towards getting into shape I think it would be a pity to blow it now.
"This year is the best chance we have to make money from the home t20 matches, next year it’s being cut back a little bit, we are still trying to see if we can get that changed, but it’s not looking very encouraging. So this year is an important one as far as Kent is concerned."
The chairman says he is concerned about Kent’s start to the season, but has urged patience while the county’s youngsters bed into the side.The fact is we have a youth policy and we are sticking with it," he said. "The top order hasn’t been firing in the way that they would like, but it’s early days and I’m not despondent.
"You can’t always put your finger on why these things happen. Rob Key is clearly a class batsman and what’s the old saying? Class is permanent and form is temporary. I’m sure he will play himself through it. Like any sport you need a bit of luck and when you are losing your openers cheaply that’s unfortunate, but I can’t really see that continuing."
He added: "We could definitely do with a boost in the bowling department, if everyone was fit I wouldn’t be so worried but we have so many blessed injuries that it makes it quite tough."
Source http://www.kentnews.co.uk/
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