Beyond the Boundary: Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens writes exclusively for the KM Group
Published: 08:00, 09 July 2010
I have enjoyed playing for England, it’s given me a big buzz and I’ve loved the intensity of it.
I had no idea what to expect but without doubt it has given me a taste of international cricket and I want more. I’m sure the intensity gets even higher the further up in standard you go.
I have been playing nicely. I’ve got in a couple of times and then been disappointed not to push on.
It was a hell of a game on Tuesday when we tied with India A. We could have got up towards 370.
I got 64 and shared a partnership of 150 with Ian Bell for the fourth wicket. We were playing brilliantly and I shouldn’t have got out. It was criminal that none of the in-form players, myself, Belly or Ravi Bopara were there at the end.
As for the bowling, I got three overs at Northampton in the first game when they had 140-odd and were only two wickets down after 35 overs.
They were swinging and I was on the wrong end of it. I was a bit disappointed and I have not had another opportunity since.
I didn’t really know anyone here apart from Tredders (James Tredwell), who left us on Tuesday for England one-day duty but we’ve all got on well.
I thought it might be a case of people competing against each other but it’s not been like that. Everyone’s helping each other out because we all wanted to win this tournament yesterday (Thursday).
I’ve had lots of compliments about my form and fingers crossed I’ve done enough to get noticed.
I know there have been England selectors watching but we’ve been kept away from them. Nobody has said anything to me and I’m not going to go chasing anyone.
I’m looking forward to getting back to playing for Kent today (Friday), if selected, of course. I’ve kept in touch with a few of the lads and know we’ve had a couple more injury problems.
They had a good win in the t20 the other day and I know we still have an outside chance of finishing fourth in the group so we will be going all-out to win at The Brit Oval and again on Sunday against Glamorgan.
It will be odd playing a home game at a neutral ground but as long as we can get the crowd in, it will be good for the club.
Read more
Sports ColumnsMore by this author
KentOnline reporter