Kent had been a force to be reckoned with in the early part of the 20th century and Colin Cowdrey, in combination with team manager Les Ames and coach Colin Page, was determined to bring the good times back to Canterbury. Slowly but surely they built a side capable of challenging for trophies.
After more than 50 years without silverware, county cricket’s sleeping giants emerged from their slumber to win 11 trophies in the space of 12 seasons, dominating the one-day scene and ending their long wait to reclaim the County Championship title. Jo Harman talked to the key figures behind a golden era in Kent’s history.
Alan Ealham (Kent 1966-1982, captain 1978-1980): My first year was 1966 and I remember Colin [Page] speaking to the supporters at the end of the season and saying we were on the brink of something special; that we had every chance of being successful for the next 10 years. We were a very young side with a few experienced heads. We gelled very well.
John Shepherd (Kent 1965-1981, West Indies 1969-1971): Colin Cowdrey and Les Ames brought me to Kent after spotting me playing for a Barbados ‘B’ team against the Rothmans Cavaliers who had come out on a tour. I knew nothing about Kent! I had to do a two-year qualifying period, which was a great chance to learn about English conditions. I’d never seen wickets as green!
JS: We were like a family. There wasn’t any bickering. We had a great spirit and everybody in that dressing room knew the part they had to play. We were just great mates. It was like playing every day with your brothers.
AE: It was a sociable game and everything was so different. When we’d been away for a week or 10 days or so, the wives and families would be up on the bank to greet us and we’d have a picnic together. It was a super time to play county cricket.
