Traditionally, Kent cricketers commence benefit seasons at Mercure Great Dane Hotel in Hollingbourne, and Daniel Bell-Drummond has followed the custom with a lunch to launch his testimonial season.

Approximately two hundred and eighty people attended including family, many past and present Kent players, club cricket team-mates, old school friends and Kent supporters. They included former Kent Head Coach Jimmy Adams, who flew over from Jamaica, and a close friend who jetted in from Boston, USA.

Before the lunch started Bell-Drummond said “It’s a big moment for me, a big year ahead and I’m very grateful to the club for giving me this opportunity. The real stuff starts now. Lots to look forward to. I’m looking forward to the golf days, cricket days, dinners. I can’t wait”

Gravesend and Blackheath host the cricket days so Bell-Drummond has a busy year ahead. However, he hasn’t totally ruled out playing a league match for Blackheath. “I can’t look too far ahead but I hope that I get a game in.”

Former Kent captain David Fulton was excellent as Master of Ceremonies and introduced the first guest who was not on the order of service, but who had requested to speak. Former Kent and England opening bowler Richard Ellison was Bell-Drummond’s house master at Millfield School, and Ellison drove up from Somerset to give his tribute. 

Nick Byers, Chair of ‘DBD2026’ then presented an overview of the events confirmed so far from the upcoming year before former Kent Chairman, George Kennedy CBE, gave grace. A game of Heads and Tails, in the form of True or False followed, and last man standing so winner was Darren Stevens.

Once the first course had been completed and cleared away, Fulton hosted an entertaining Q & A with former Kent captains Chris Cowdrey and Matthew Fleming. 

Then, after the main course, Sam Billings and Sam Northeast joined Fulton for an equally enjoyable session before dessert was served. At various points during the evening, items collated by Colin Jarman, were auctioned with Fulton squeezing as much out of the audience as he could.

Guest auctioneer Bob ‘The Cat’ Bevan took over for a couple of lots after telling a few humorous anecdotes. An additional lot that went to the highest bidder was the magnum of champagne won by Stevens earlier in the afternoon and donated back after he, and some of the other cricket celebrities, had signed it.

Fulton, who is now a respected sports presenter on Sky TV explained how he first encountered Bell-Drummond “My first connection with Daniel was that I first coached him when he was nine and you’d have thought that at that point, it might have been the end of him because he was coached by me.” he joked. “Luckily, he was good enough to ignore most of what I told him and he went on to do some really good things.

“At my first meeting, you could tell back then that he was going to be a pretty special player. He just had that kind of talent. You could say the same about Rob Key. I coached him when he was eleven so you can tell from quite an early age that they’ve got something a little bit different, a little bit special. So I’ve followed him through his journey.”

As a result, he was delighted to be invited to undertake the MC role at the lunch. “I’ve done a few of these now.” Fulton confirmed. “I did Joe Denly’s, I did Darren Stevens’ ten years ago so it’s always nice to support a fellow pro, a Kent cricketer, and Deebz has been captain as well. There’s no-one more deserving of a testimonial than him.”

Three charities have been chosen by Bell-Drummond, that will benefit from his testimonial. Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) is a UK charity dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac death in youngsters. Iggy’s Fund, aims to protect the physical and mental health of sufferers of brain tumours and, working with other specialist charities, assist with advancing education and or research in the field of brain tumours. 

Finally, Platform Cricket is a London-based registered charity that harnesses the power of cricket to support young people from disadvantaged and ethnic minority backgrounds across inner-city London.

As well as the auction and Heads and Tails, Merchandise was on sale and a raffle was held by extremely hard working members of the testimonial committee.

Full details of the events, charities, merchandise, contacts etcetera, can be found on www.dbd2026.com. Further events will be added when finalised.