Matt Walker appointed Kent coach, Allan Donald named assistant coach

Kent have announced former player and assistant coach Matt Walker as their new Head Coach, replacing Jimmy Adams who is expected to take up a position with the West Indies. Former South Africa fast-bowler Allan Donald has been named as Walker's assistant.

Despite interviewing several other candidates, including Donald, Kent settled on the 43 year-old Walker. He is the safe choice but he has impressive credentials. During a nineteen year playing career for both Kent and Essex, Walker was a fine, innovative cricketer and since retirement, he has gained extensive coaching experience with the England Lions, Essex and, over the last three years, Kent.

His knowledge of the Kent squad, allegiance to the county and good relationship with captain Sam Northeast surely worked in his favour and the appointment provides continuity for a young squad which finished second in Division Two of the County Championship last season. Had it not been for the restructuring of the two divisions, that would have been enough to gain promotion.

Players and coaches who have worked with Walker speak highly of him. Former Essex Head Coach Paul Grayson, who signed Walker as a player in 2009 and appointed him as his assistant coach two years later, describes him as a 'super bloke' with a 'vast knowledge of the game'. Former England international Rob Key reckons him the most naturally gifted player he ever played with.

Walker said: "'Having grown up as a Kent player and played 16 seasons for this great county, I am extremely honoured and proud to be offered the Head Coach role. We have an exciting and talented squad that I believe is capable of challenging across all three formats. I am relishing this opportunity and hope will work with Sam Northeast and Allan Donald to bring success to the club."

It is thought that Donald also applied for the Head Coach's role at Kent and one of the vacant coaching roles at Warwickshire but has instead been appointed as assistant coach to Walker. The 50 year-old South African who played 72 Tests as a ferocious opening bowler had most recently been working with Australia's bowlers and has had previous coaching stints with Warwickshire, England, New Zealand, South Africa and the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

While Donald will certainly provide guidance and knowledge to the likes of fast bowler Matt Coles, his remit will be wider than just Kent's bowling attack. "I would like to thank the club for giving me this opportunity to work with this very talented group as the assistant coach," said Donald.

"I look forward to working closely with Matt Walker and Sam Northeast in forming a very tight relationship as we plot our way through the season. There is no doubt that I'm pumped for the new season ahead and can't wait to meet all the players and backroom staff."

The first challenge for Walker and Donald will be to lead Kent in the West Indies' domestic one-day competition starting at the end of January. It is the first time a county has taken part in another country's domestic competition proper and is viewed by the county's CEO Jamie Clifford as an important opportunity which is why they worked hard to have a new Head Coach in place before the competition.

George Kennedy, Kent's Chairman, said: "Matt was the outstanding candidate from the recruitment process. He is a modern, innovative coach who is highly regarded by players and peers as shown by the work he has done with Kent and England. His knowledge and passion for the club is an added bonus. The addition of Allan Donald brings a fresh face and new voice to the staff who we hope will also help bring the best out of our seam attack."

With a young, talented team at their disposal, and two highly experienced coaches at the helm, Kent are primed to make a challenge on all fronts in 2017.