Kent batting coach Alex Gidman optimistic side can generate early-season momentum in County Championship Division 1

Batting coach Alex Gidman is optimistic Kent can generate some early-season momentum after an opening-game triumph.

Kent last had won their first County Championship clash of the campaign six years ago before they earned a seven-wicket success over Northamptonshire in Division 1 at Canterbury on Easter Sunday.

Gidman was delighted to watch Kent get off to a good start.

“Coming from a different club and a different background, for me, it’s a superb club with lots of quality players,” said Gidman.

“The whole club seems to be working really hard towards the cricket department and putting everything into cricket.

"That’s really refreshing and we have got a high-quality group of players.

“Everyone needs a bit of luck along the way and you have just got to play what’s in front of you.

“We’ve done that really well in this first game after a hugely difficult pre-season - as every single club has had.

“But to come through that and get some good points and have some really good individual performances - as well as a good team result - there’s no reason why we can’t get some early momentum and try to build on this good start.”

Their previous opening four-day match win also came at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, when they thrashed Gloucestershire in Division 2 in April 2017.

Alex’s younger brother, Will, featured for Kent in that match.

“Obviously I’m pleased for the guys to get that start,” he said.

“In any format of the game, you need to get off to a good start and it’s nice, particularly after what’s been a tough pre-season.”

Kent had a first-innings lead of 105 but Northamptonshire fought back well and the game appeared in the balance with the hosts 60-3, chasing 227, before an unbeaten partnership of 167 between opener Ben