Darren Stevens amongst the runs against Scotland

I talked last week about our busy schedule and this week is a prime example.

We came out of a one-day game on Monday, then had a Twenty20 squad practice at Canterbury on Tuesday, before back-to-back games against Essex and Hampshire on successive nights, then straight into another four-day game against Nottinghamshire.

We finished at the Rose Bowl late last night (Thursday) and head straight for Tunbridge Wells and an overnight stay before facing Notts.

It’s tough on the boys and the programme the way it is needs some common sense.

Malinga Bandara has settled in well. He joined in practice on Sunday before the Scotland game. I was surprised how good his English is and he always seems to have a smile on his face.

We said goodbye to Makhaya Ntini at the weekend and wished him well over a couple of drinks, although he is teetotal and only had a couple of soda waters himself.

I tried to twist his arm about coming back but all he said was "talk to the club."

Fingers crossed, we might see him back at Kent again, we’ll see.

Getting a third championship hundred already this season against Durham last week was great but I wanted to go on and score big and be there at the end.

It was disappointing to get out again, just after getting to a hundred.

Everyone was delighted with the win, against a side who hadn’t lost at home for two years. We sat in the dressing room for about an hour afterwards letting our success sink in and we showed great character to come back so well, having been on the end of a hiding on home soil the previous week.

Alex Blake played well against Scotland on Sunday and it was a proper cricket innings. He went in with 19 overs left, got himself in and played well. He could be a special player and is up there
with Sam (Northeast).

Blakey did well batting at three in the Pro40 last season and being one of only two left handers in our side, he offers us variation in the batting order and could be a big performer in the Twenty20 competition this season.

He is an aggressive batsman, continues to work on his bowling and may have got his chance earlier this season but for being away at university.

Matt Coles has also done well in the games he has played so far. He batted well as nightwatchman against Warwickshire earlier in the season and he had made a couple of 30s as well.

He is another aggressive batsman working hard on his game and is not afraid to try different things to improve his game with bat and ball.

I’m sure he is another youngster with a bright future.

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