Take me to the Riverside 2026

[Durhamfootman]

36, seemingly

[westoelad]

Now that Sam Northeast has returned to Kent, we will doubtless be able to witness the first triple hundred of the new season first hand

Nice to see such positivity on the eve of the season
However possible XI v Kent
Lee's
McKinney
Gay
Bedingham
Ackerman
Rhodes
RobinsonI
Aldridge
Raine
Potts
Aldridge

[westoelad]

Roache at XI not a duplicate not a duplicate Aldridge

[Durhamfootman]

good to see that all the players have found their way back home.... presumably by flying the long way around

[captaincolly]

Now that Sam Northeast has returned to Kent, we will doubtless be able to witness the first triple hundred of the new season first hand

Blimey, how old is he now? Must be close to retiring?!

36.

[KingOttis]

Nice to see Benks back where he belongs!

[captaincolly]

Nice to see Benks back where he belongs!

Yes, had hia struggles as a coach but batting consultant should be the ideal role for him.

[Durhamfootman]

this one passed me by

excellent news

[Durhamfootman]

I watched Bedders being interviewed earlier. In addition to his broken toe at the start of last season, he also tore his quad in October and played very little SA domestic cricket over the winter, so he says he's feeling fresh and well rested for this campaign. He is contracted to play in the CC and the dribble, but isn't sure about the one day cup. It didn't sound as though SA have much on this year, so with a bit of luck we might get much better value for him in 2026 than we did last year

[Durhamfootman]

somewhat worryingly, the cricketer have included 'the lack of bite' from 37 year old Kemar Roach as one reason why Surrey lost out to Notts last year, in their pre-season guide

Perhaps that's why he was suddenly available for 2026

[captaincolly]

I watched Bedders being interviewed earlier. In addition to his broken toe at the start of last season, he also tore his quad in October and played very little SA domestic cricket over the winter, so he says he's feeling fresh and well rested for this campaign. He is contracted to play in the CC and the dribble, but isn't sure about the one day cup. It didn't sound as though SA have much on this year, so with a bit of luck we might get much better value for him in 2026 than we did last year

Hopefully, he was obviously a big miss for much of last season.

[captaincolly]

somewhat worryingly, the cricketer have included 'the lack of bite' from 37 year old Kemar Roach as one reason why Surrey lost out to Notts last year, in their pre-season guide

Perhaps that's why he was suddenly available for 2026

That sounds ominous.

[Durhamfootman]

the cricketer preview suggests that Kent have a threadbare and injury prone squad, so meeting them first up might not be the greatest bit of timing for us

Pottsy suggesting that he was trying too hard last year and trying too many things to press his England case, rather than concentrating on what he's good at. Echoes what Campo was saying in his pre-season interview. Lets see if that translates into a return to form this year. His performances were much reduced last year.... and he wasn't alone

Worryingly the cricketer has us as favourites for the div 2 title. I think they predicted that we'd finish second in div 1 last year, so could be the kiss of death

[captaincolly]

the cricketer preview suggests that Kent have a threadbare and injury prone squad, so meeting them first up might not be the greatest bit of timing for us

Pottsy suggesting that he was trying too hard last year and trying too many things to press his England case, rather than concentrating on what he's good at. Echoes what Campo was saying in his pre-season interview. Lets see if that translates into a return to form this year. His performances were much reduced last year.... and he wasn't alone

Worryingly the cricketer has us as favourites for the div 2 title. I think they predicted that we'd finish second in div 1 last year, so could be the kiss of death

They did predict that. The Guardian predictions is second place. I can understand why we're favourites to go up but I still have some doubts- there have been several rwals who were tipped for promotion after an unexpected relegation and they didn't make it! Can see a scenario where we start in dominant style and everything clicks, but can also envisage a stuttering start and ths pressure quickly building up.