Fulton's bright boys

Gruntlement was hard to find but seldom injuries. No seamer bowled more than 166 Championship overs; none managed 20 wickets. While Mark Ealham's exit continued to aggravate relations between team and committee the repercussions of Ed Smith's unhappy dalliance with the captaincy also ran on unduly. Small wonder July brought seven consecutive defeats.

The highlights, other than Rob Key's coming of age, were confined to the sprints: Mohammad Sami's 6 for 20 to sneak a one-run win over Gloucestershire; Andrew Symonds' 112 off 43 balls to marmalise Middlesex. Sami and Ian Butler, the imported bowlers, claimed 25 four-day scalps between them at a dash under 40. Which begs the question: how on earth did Kent finish second to Warwickshire? And even more than that, how did they secure two victories more than the champions?

Twenty-four Division One centuries tell part of the tale. David Fulton pays due homage to Matthew Walker's ever broadening bat and ignores his own contribution; the captain's five tons and sure slipwork completed an inspirational recovery from that debilitating eye injury.

He would rather tip the hat youthwards. "At one stage, for six games, we had an average of four capped players in the side. But the youngsters are learning quickly. Alex Loudon is very exciting with bat and spin, Michael Carberry looks classy, Robbie Joseph has come on well, James Tredwell and Rob Ferley were our best one-day bowlers. Matthew Dennington bowled sharply and saved us with the bat against Surrey." Throw in Niall O'Brien's impish promise behind (and in front of) the stumps and the future looks rosy.

Player of the Year: David Fulton
High: Rob Key being first in the country to 1,000 first-class runs
Low: The ET Smith Rumour Mill

This article was first published in the November issue of The Wisden Cricketer.
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