Daniel Bell-Drummond begins his thirteenth season at Canterbury this week as one of the more experienced member of Matt Walker’s squad, and still has the anticipation that he had on day one.
Speaking to KSN recently at the club’s Press Day, DBD told us, “I’ve been here since 2011, but I still enjoy pre-season and new year and still have the same butterflies that I did as a seventeen-year-old and can’t wait to get going.”
With Sam Billings back to captain the side, DBD, who captained the Championship side at the start of last summer in Billings’ absence at the IPL, will “just” be a member of the team – “it’s quite easy really as Sam’s been in regular contact even when he’s not been around and I always looked at him as Club Captain.”
“So for me, it’ll be easy enough to slot back into the ranks and I’ll be able to really focus on myself and give my best to the team from a performance point of view.”
“I’ve seen and there have been a lot a changes since my debut in 2011. We’ve had highs and lows, I think in the last five years we’ve been on a good path winning a couple of trophies and we’re competing in Division One of the Championship so we’re definitely in a good space.”
“Compare that to when I started and we were floundering in Division Two, it’s very different and don’t forget the England representation that we’ve had in recent years too, so the signs are really good!”
“There’s definitely a togetherness that come out of COVID but I feel that the building blocks were there anyway, we had a good summer in 2019, and I think it’s been building since COVID and there’s been a real bonding and winning the 2021 T20 was the icing on the cake, so let’s hope this year can carry that on.”
“I definitely prefer a long afternoon bat in the Championship, I do like all three formats. I believe that on my best day I am very good at all three, but for me there’s nothing that beats a first class hundred with the challenges involved.”
“All three have different challenges and are tough in their different ways to succeed but for me, I do love an afternoon’s batting,”
“Every day is a new day and we don’t know what will happen this year, but for my career until now, I’ve enjoyed all three formats, but I know that I need evolving and adapting because the game is moving forward.”
“I see players like Joe Denly still a brilliant player and as good as he’s ever been at the age of thirty-seven and for me that’s a good example to try and keep evolving my game and keep ahead of the ball and never stand still.”
“I’m still only twenty nine and I’ve got no regrets making that final call to play for England. I started playing cricket as a six year old and I really am living my dream to be honest.”
“If someone had told me that I’d play professional cricket for thirteen years and not even being thirty, I’d snapped your hand off! I’m very grateful for what I’ve achieved and there’s more to come.”