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Beyond the Boundary: Kent star Darren Stevens writes exclusively for the KM Group

By: KentOnline reporter multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 08:00, 02 July 2010

Darren Stevens on his way to 52 not out

I’m writing from the County Ground in Northampton and it’s a couple of hours before I go out for my England debut, for the Lions in the triangular one-day series against West Indies A and India A.

I honestly had not thought about the chance of being given England recognition until Farby pulled me aside during the day/night game at Surrey last week.

I’m sure they had mixed feelings because while everyone at Kent is happy for me, I am sure they are going to miss me and James Tredwell but I think they are going in the right direction now.

We had a good win the other evening against Sussex at Hove – our cricket changed that night.

mpu1

The losing run was not fun to be a part of – to go from Twenty20 being our main strength over the past few years to that.

Unfortunately, although you know it shouldn’t happen, heads start to drop and it is difficult. You just don’t know how to get out of the situation. No matter how hard you train or work in practice, it doesn’t seem to change. The luck just seems to go against you.

In all the games we’ve lost we have failed to get off to a good start. It was a big thing for us to get off to such a good start on Sunday.

It was a shame Keysey couldn’t get a ton but it gave us the foundation we needed, with Joe playing well and Jarra coming in to make a good 50.

With those three doing well, we have a good chance of getting a reasonable score on the board and with the youngsters coming through and impressing, we’ll have a good chance of winning games.

Hopefully, they can do well against Pakistan this week, then in the two t20 games against Hampshire on Friday and Gloucestershire on Sunday, both at Canterbury. I’ll be checking the scores as soon as I get into the dressing room at lunch and tea.

mpu2

I won’t be able to play against Hampshire in the Championship at The Rose Bowl on Monday but if the schedule allows, I’ll head down there to support them.

I trained with England on Monday and if we train as hard as that for 10 days, then I’m going to be a tired boy at the end of it.

Captain Alastair Cook told me I’ll be in a floating role. I was down at No.7 and expect to bowl a bit but Cooky said I’d be moved up or down depending on the situation.

If the England selectors weren’t looking at me then I wouldn’t be playing for the Lions. I’m not going to worry about anything other than doing my best and giving everything I’ve got.

If I’m successful then who knows... what will be, will be.

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