KENT'S cricketers have been having a tough time on their international assignments (Steve Constable writes).

Ed Smith made a patchy start to the England A tour of India, and James Tredwell was appointed captain after Alex Gidman’s injury, but the team’s results have been disappointing.

New signing David Stiff had one outstanding display for England in the Under-19 World Cup, but missed their latest match.

The A tour began with two defeats against Karnataka State, with Smith making 21 of England's 116 as they lost by eight wickets in the opening game.

The following day Smith top scored with 52 out of 203 for seven, but this time England lost by four wickets, with Tredwell making his first appearance and claiming one wicket.

There then followed three defeats in four days against India A.

In the first, Tredwell was wicketless for 61 runs off nine overs as England conceded 324 for four off 50 overs, and Smith made 30 as they were restricted to 269 for nine in reply, Tredwell unbeaten on 48.

Smith made only eight, and Tredwell one, as England were dismissed for 228 the next day, and India A won by two wickets with Tredwell conceding 29 runs from five overs.

Two days later Smith’s unbeaten 76, out of 210, was in vain as India won by five wickets, with Tredwell conceding 35 from 7.1 overs.

Ironically, Smith then missed England’s first victory, by 187 runs against Tamil Nadu.

Tredwell made an unbeaten 33 in their first innings 368 for nine, and took one for 54 as Tamil Nadu replied with 333 for nine.

In the second innings he was 12 not out in England’s 295 for nine, and then took one for 42 to lead the team to victory, as Glamorgan's Simon Jones took five wickets.

England then began their campaign in India’s Duleep Trophy tournament, making 377 against South Zone, with Smith hitting 27, and dismissing their opponents for 174 with Tredwell taking four for 41.