Kent Cricket News   -------------------------------------------------  
http://www.kent.cricket.org   ----------------------- Mon 15 Feb 1999  

"We could have been champions, in fact we should have been." 

Writing in the Kent CCC / AKCC newsletter, Matthew Fleming reflects  
on 1998 and looks forward to 1999... 

"There is one question that people have asked me more than any other  
since my appointment as captain of Kent: "What are you going to do  
differently?" 

In many respects this is a fair and understandable question, but in  
others in underestimates the challenges ahead for the county.  There  
is no quick fix, no magic formula and there are no real guarantees. 

Undeniably there are areas where there is real room for improvement,  
both on the pitch and off it.  The playing staff, ground staff and  
administrative staff all have roles to play if Kent’s immediate  
future is to be a winning one. 

We are a county rich in tradition, ability and facilities.  Kent is a  
county whose past has been synonymous with great success.  It is down  
to all of us to ensure that its future is equally successful. 

I look at our squad with 12 players who have represented England at  
Under-19, A team or full international level.  Then I look at  
Leicestershire, the county champions and very real contenders in all  
competitions, with their seven. 

We could have been champions, in fact we should have been.  It is the  
responsibility of us all to ensure that Kent are not just the team,  
but the county that others compare themselves to. 

There is only one guarantee that we, the players, can give.  Whatever  
our achievements this season, whether they are great or modest, it  
will not be through lack of effort or committment to Kent." 

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Kent CCC are organising a members reception with the England World  
Cup squad later in the year with tickets £10 each. 

Kent members will have the exclusive opportunity to meet members of  
the England team and to wish them every success in their campaign for  
the 1999 World Cup.   

All former Kent players who have played for England will also be  
invited - the cost is £10 a head which will include a free drink  
on arrival and light refreshment. 

Anyone wishing to attend should complete contact the club with  
details of their name, address and membership number, along with  
a cheque made payable to "Kent County Cricket Club".  Life Members,  
Harris Room members or members in the ‘member and friend’ category  
will be entitled to two tickets. 

Due to the floor surface there will be no smoking in the hall and  
high heels cannot be worn.  Invitations will be issued nearer the  
date and will be required to gain entry. 

Any questions should be addressed to Jean Cryer at Kent CCC on  
(01227) 456866, or by email to: Jean.Cryer.Kent@ecb.co.uk 

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A "Cricket Castaways" evening will be held at The Marlowe Theatre,  
Canterbury on Tuesday May 4.  A number of celebrities will take part  
in a musical evening on the format of Desert Island Discs.  The  
event is being arranged to generate funds for the Lord’s Taverners  
and the further development of cricket in the country. 

Although ticket prices have not yet been announced, the evening will  
be open to the public. 

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Some tickets are still available for the Kent CCC dinner, to be held  
at St.Lawrence Ground on Friday, February 26 (7.30pm for 8).  The  
guest speaker will be Lord MacLaurin, Chairman of the ECB.  Tickets  
cost £22 and can be reserved from the office.  (Dress=lounge suits). 

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BBC Radio Kent Sports Desks

For those of you in Kent, you may wish to know that the times of 
BBC Radio Kent's sports desks have changed slightly.  As of 
today (Mon 15 Feb) the full bulletins at 25 minutes past the hour 
have now been moved to after the news and weather at half past, 
while the sports summaries which used to be at 5 minutes to now 
follow the news headlines on the hour.  This means that the 
Monday - Friday schedule is as follows:

Full bulletins:
6.33am, 7.33am, 8.33am, 1.05pm, 5.33pm, 6.33pm

Summaries:
7.05pm, 8.05pm, 6.05pm

Other programmes including Saturday Sport (2.30 to 6pm) are 
unaffected by this change.