New batting coach Alex Gidman has loved getting stuck straight in at Kent.

Gidman joined this year after a four-year stint as head coach of Worcestershire.

There’s plenty of added responsibility which comes with being a head coach and the 41-year-old has relished the opportunity to get his hands dirty once again on purely a coaching basis.

He said: “In a relatively short coaching career - this is now my sixth year - I’ve been lucky enough to experience lots of different things.

“But ultimately being a coach at the club I was at, I didn’t always coach that much.

"Since that finished, I’ve been lucky enough to actually coach and work with some England Women’s players and did some work in Nottinghamshire before Christmas.

“I’ve just really enjoyed getting my hands dirty and coaching. That’s exactly what this role is.

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“Obviously, it has certain different parts to it but, fundamentally, it’s about helping the players which is something I believe I’m good at.

“It’s been really enjoyable and so far, so good.”

Gidman isn't short of places to visit in Canterbury after conversations with his younger brother, Will Gidman, who played for Kent as an all-rounder from 2016 until he retired in 2018.

“We’ve had a few conversations,” Alex revealed.

“He’s given me a few nice places to go and eat and drink in Canterbury!

"Will had a great time here and it has some very fond memories for him. He spoke extremely highly of the whole club.

“It, obviously, helps and he’s a good guy for me to chat to and bounce some ideas off.

"He still speaks very fondly about the place.”

On how he got the role as Ryan ten Doeschate’s replacement, Gidman said: “I finished at Worcestershire at the end of the season so I just kept my eye open for what opportunities might be out there.

“Then this role came up and it just excited me so I applied and went through the process.

“Thankfully, Paul [Downton, Kent director of cricket] and Walks [head coach Matt Walker] saw enough in me and felt I can try to add value to what they’ve already got going on down here.

“It’s an opportunity I was very interested in and I’m grateful to have this chance.”

Gidman may have experience of holding the top job on his own but has no interest in upsetting the status quo at Kent, although he’ll be more than happy to provide his opinion when asked.

He said: “I think, potentially, it’s really helpful. I’m certainly not interested in treading on anybody’s toes.

“If Walks asks my thoughts or opinions on things, I’ll certainly give them - whether that’s practising, selection or whatever.

"But I certainly know my place.

“I’m here to work with the batters and assist Walks but, certainly, I feel like I’ve got a good bank of knowledge to help out if needed.

“Clearly, there’s a lot of things going right here. Two trophies in two years and competing in Division 1, for me, that’s an outstanding effort.

“It’s just about contributing and chipping in where I can.”

There’s plenty of competition for places in Kent’s batting department and Gidman is relieved he won’t have the final say on who misses out this year every game.

He said: “I guess - I say smiling - that’s one of the beauties of not being the head coach! Those decisions won’t be up to me.

“I’ve been in those shoes and I know how hard it can be but, equally, what we’ve got is a competitive group of players who are all desperate to play.

“Yes, that might come with some challenging conversations at times. But equally, it means the guys out on the pitch will be desperate to perform and those that aren’t quite in the first-team at that stage will be desperately trying to get into the first-team.

“What you’re hoping for is really healthy competition and that guys are trying their utmost to perform for Kent - whether that’s first-team or second-team.

“It’s great to be part of that really healthy and competitive environment.”

Gidman also worked with Kent opener Zak Crawley before he set off with England’s Test squad for Pakistan this winter.

“Before he went to Pakistan, I was asked to spend a bit of time with the batters that were leftover so I spent a couple of days at Loughborough with him and we got on really well,” he said.

“I really like his approach to the game. From a technical point of view, he’s a really good guy for me to work with and pick his brains really.

"I love the way he plays the game.

“He’s a nice guy, as are all the guys.

"They’ve been really welcoming, really kind and - when you have good players - they’re enjoyable to work with.”