Kent coach, Jimmy Adams, has hinted Scott Newman’s loan at the county will not be extended in two weeks’ time.
Newman joined Kent from Middlesex, in March, as a replacement for Daniel Bell-Drummond, signing for the first two months of the season.
The 32-year-old had hoped to work his way into the county’s long-term plans with opportunities limited at Middlesex, but he has managed only one fifty during his time at Kent.
The opener is facing pressure from Sam Northeast and Bell-Drummond for his place, with the Kent coach suggesting they will favour youth moving forward.
“That hasn’t been decided yet. When the time comes, we’re going to look at everything that’s happened in the first team and the second team”, Adams said, when asked about Newman’s future.
Northeast, who has struggled to work his way into the first-team picture, this season, has impressed for Kent’s Second XI, hitting two centuries to nudge the selectors.
Bell-Drummond, whose England Under-19 involvement opened the door to Newman, has also impressed for the second team. He scored 77 against Sussex, on Thursday, and top-scored with 43, against the same opposition, albeit in a one-day fixture, on Tuesday.
“The issue with any second team player is that you want to encourage consistent performances. Ultimately, you want players who can graduate to this level who have an understanding and a mind-set of what it takes to be consistent”, Adams added.
“It’s very heartening to see Sam’s scores, and I think Bell-Drummond’s got some runs, as well – and Alex Blake. They can’t do any more than that.”
Kent have had an encouraging start to the County Championship season, despite the weather’s best attempts to scupper their promotion hopes. They are well positioned in third place in the Second Division. The side are currently one of the favourites to win the County Championship on Betfair.
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