Sam Northeast: I’m really enjoying the captaincy

Sam Northeast has admitted that the chance to lead Kent for the foreseeable future is an “unexpected” honour.

Northeast captained Kent Spitfires to victories in the two opening matches in this summer’s NatWest T20 Blast, and has retained the job even though club captain Rob Key made a successful return to the side this week after a fortnight away from the first XI.

Key had not played first XI cricket since Kent’s LV= County Championship match against Leicestershire in early May, leaving vice-captain Northeast to step up in all formats.

Northeast added: “I am really enjoying the captaincy and I think I am going to do it for at least the next month and then we’ll see where we are.

"It’s quite strange having Keysy in the team and him not being captain, because we are all so used to him leading, but he’s very happy with me as captain and I’m just happy he’s back in the side scoring runs again.

“It’s great to be able to have him around for any advice I might need, although I didn’t think I would be doing this job this season and it was unexpected when it came along.”

That temporary arrangement has now become more permanent, with Key happy to serve under Northeast’s leadership.

“In Sam Northeast we have a very good captain,” said Key, who hit 89 and 26 against Surrey in the championship game at the newly-redeveloped County Ground, Beckenham, which preceded tomorrow night’s NatWest T20 Blast South Group clash between the two counties at the same venue.

“Sam’s doing a great job, and I am very happy to concentrate on my batting and support him when I can in the field and off it. For the time being, let’s leave things as they are. I still feel I have a lot to offer as a batsman, and I loved playing in the championship match against Surrey purely as a batsman. I felt refreshed after the break, and I had a lot less going on in my head!

“I’ve been Kent captain for a long time, and the job has affected me before. That’s why I gave it up for a year in 2013, when James Tredwell led the team.

"I’m very proud of the progress the club has made on and off the field in recent years and Kent Cricket is in a very good place at the moment.”

Kent have won ten of their previous 13 T20 games at Beckenham, although their record against Surrey since the launch of the then Twenty20 Cup in 2003 is not as good, with Surrey winning almost 60 per cent of all matches between the counties.

A big crowd is expected at Beckenham for T20’s return to the venue for the first time since 2012.

County cricket's oldest rivalry continues as Kent Spitfires take on Surrey in the NatWest T20 Blast at The County Ground, Beckenham on Friday (29 May) at 5.30pm. Tickets are available on the gate from 3.30pm: adults £25, under 16s £10.