Tredwell must be his own man of Kent

By Mark Pennell

It was befitting of a club justifiably proud of its traditions that Kent, once again, promoted from within to name James Tredwell as their captain for next season and the man to replace Rob Key – the county’s longest serving skipper of the professional era.
 
Only 31 players, Key included, have led Kent since the 4th Baron Harris stood down as the county’s first ever skipper in 1889. So little wonder that 30-year-old Tredwell spoke of his pride at being named as the 32nd captain in Kent’s history.

At a press conference in the fitting venue of the Kent committee room, Tredwell took over the reins from Key for 2013 – it is little known that the club’s constitution dictates that Kent captains can only be appointed on an annual basis. Indeed, the only surprise was that Tredwell turned up wearing his training kit for the handover. In EW Swanton’s day a club blazer would have been absolutely essential for such an event!
 
Ashford-born with twelve years' playing experience with the county, Kent through-and-through in upbringing and cricketing development, and with 10 England appearances behind him - nine in one-day internationals and a single Test cap, in Bangladesh in 2010 - Tredwell is, however, the obvious successor to Key who, after seven years at the helm, felt the time had come to stand down.

Quiet yet conscientious, bashful yet steely in his determination, Tredwell is a keen thinker on the game. He admits he will garner help from his experienced lieutenants like Key, Geraint Jones, Darren Stevens and Brendan Nash, but Tredwell will also want to be his own man and freely admits that the job may take him out of his comfort zone. He realises that remaining the ‘quiet, well-liked man of the Kent dressing room’ will no longer cut the mustard.

In terms of character Tredwell, compared to the ebullient Key - whose body language often betrayed his mood - is solid chalk to Key’s cheese. Yet those closest to the off-spinning all-rounder know he will give the job his all and, more importantly perhaps, he will do it in his own ‘no frills’ style. As, indeed, David Fulton did when he succeeded Matthew Fleming in 2003.

Tredwell has been warned by his predecessor that the job will not be without its hitches. Kentish coffers are at a low ebb and their squad is small compared to some, yet they still have a dressing room full of individuals with big personalities.

Man-managing those players and establishing his own style of leadership, while also convincing the cricket committee to stump up the cash to finance an overseas pro (should former West indies batsman Nash sign for 2013 onwards on Kolpak terms as is widely expected) may prove to be Tredwell’s biggest pre-season tasks.


Date: 19/11/2012 15:25:11 by Mark Pennell
In: Today | Kent |