Kent Cricket skipper Sam Northeast says he's delighted with his form but is not even thinking about earning an England call-up
Published: 00:00, 21 July 2016
Sam Northeast is not thinking about international honours, he just wants to make the most of his rich vein of form for Kent.
After scores of 191 against Derbyshire and 166 not out at Essex in his previous two Specsavers County Championship Division 2 appearances, the Kent captain cashed-in at Tunbridge Wells, cracking 190 against Sussex before yet again falling agonisingly short of a maiden career double-hundred.
The 26-year-old had previously scored a career-best 189 against Gloucestershire this season and his latest mammoth innings – amassed while wearing his trademark short-sleeved jumper in superstition, despite the heatwave – did, however, take him past 1,000 First Class runs for the summer and within six of the milestone in the Championship.
He admitted: “I’m sort of going through the nervous 190s – I have got a bit of an issue at the moment. It’s a nice issue to have but it is frustrating. You start thinking about things when you’re in the 190s.
“To get that score was good and it’s nice to make the most of a bit of good form because there’s been plenty of times when it’s been the other way around. It’s enjoyable to be in a bit of form and playing on another pretty flat pitch.”
Northeast's latest knock came at a time when Kent were missing team-mates Sam Billings and Daniel Bell-Drummond, on duty for England Lions, and prompted renewed calls for a call-up for the Kent skipper who last wore the three lions for England under-19s in 2009.
He said: “I don’t know what the selection policy is but I’ve always said I just want to win games for Kent.
“It’s my job, especially as captain, and as a player to get scores on the board and hopefully as captain to guide us to wins and trophies. If anything happens, then so
be it.
“I’ve heard nothing from anyone. I have just got to keep on doing what I’m doing. If Kent are going well then perhaps I might get selection down the line but I’m not too worried about that at the minute.”
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Alex Hoad