I did wonder why Matt Coles had been replaced by Adam Ball for the latest CC match but thought it was down to injury/being rested. Unfortunately it was for neither.
From The Times: Seam bowler Matt Coles will miss Kent’s NatWest T20 Blast against Sussex Sharks at Canterbury tonight as an investigation continues into an alleged drink-related incident.
The 26-year-old was made unavailable for selection by the club management for their T20 match against Middlesex last week and their home county championship draw against Derbyshire this week after reports of unprofessional behaviour, believed to relate to alcohol during Kent’s matches against Glamorgan in Cardiff from June 17-23.
The club confirmed earlier in the week that Coles had been made “unavailable for selection due to an on-going employer/employee matter” but would not make any further statement on the matter. In naming their 15-man squad, Kent stated that Coles “remains unavailable”.
Kent’s trip to Cardiff contained a T20 match on June 17 and a championship match that started on the following Sunday, but on the Saturday the players trained for a few hours before being given the rest of the day and evening off during which Coles had, allegedly, over-consumed alcohol throughout the evening and into the small hours of Sunday morning. Kent decided to bowl first at the uncontested toss but Coles, their regular opening bowler who has taken 22 championship wickets this season, delivered three overs, in which he took the wicket of Mark Wallace, before being removed from the attack.
In 2013, Coles was sent home from a winter Lions tour — along with Ben Stokes — for what the management termed “unprofessional conduct”.
Coles has already been suspended once this season although he was strongly defended by Kent. He was banned for two championship games by the ECB for “throwing the ball at or near a player, umpire or official in an inappropriate and dangerous manner” — a Level Two breach of the ECB’s disciplinary code — which triggered an automatic suspension because he had accumulated 12 penalty points within a two year period.
Coles clearly has a problem. In addition to the England Lions' incident, it was rumoured that he left us under a similar cloud re drinking issues when he joined Hants. He is 26 now and allegedly a professional sportsman. It's about time he grew up and realised that. Or he sought help. Because he is too big a talent to waste it. Though he's probably used to being "wasted".
The guy's got masses of talent, but could easily step up to another level. Visibly, he doesn't look like an ambitious 26 year old pace bowler should do, but rather a 34 year old country trundler
Let's hope Coles is okay, seems strange to keep pressing the self destruct button, somebody needs to talk him through this, he is a hell of a talent and will be a big waste if he spirals out of control....
We have 4 spare tickets for the hospitality today with meal/wine/guest speaker etc.
I know it's late notice, but the meal is at 5:30. If you just want to join for a beer while the game is on you can do that to.
No charge of course, so free entry if anyone fancies.
Cheers.
Joe.
NOW you tell me !
Well, would love to have taken up your offer but logged off here around 3pm & left 45 mins later for the apprx 75-80 minute journey.
Then the KCCC curse struck us yet again !
Doing well when we came to a standstill in a village somewhere around Chilham.
So, sat there.....
And sat there.....
....until we heard on Radio Kent there was a serious accident ahead of us , so reluctantly, at 5.30, decided to turn around & make for home ( in bloody Sussex!)
Watching now on Sky with a black cloud hovering over my head. Grrrrrrrr.
Comments
From The Times:
Seam bowler Matt Coles will miss Kent’s NatWest T20 Blast against Sussex Sharks at Canterbury tonight as an investigation continues into an alleged drink-related incident.
The 26-year-old was made unavailable for selection by the club management for their T20 match against Middlesex last week and their home county championship draw against Derbyshire this week after reports of unprofessional behaviour, believed to relate to alcohol during Kent’s matches against Glamorgan in Cardiff from June 17-23.
The club confirmed earlier in the week that Coles had been made “unavailable for selection due to an on-going employer/employee matter” but would not make any further statement on the matter. In naming their 15-man squad, Kent stated that Coles “remains unavailable”.
Kent’s trip to Cardiff contained a T20 match on June 17 and a championship match that started on the following Sunday, but on the Saturday the players trained for a few hours before being given the rest of the day and evening off during which Coles had, allegedly, over-consumed alcohol throughout the evening and into the small hours of Sunday morning. Kent decided to bowl first at the uncontested toss but Coles, their regular opening bowler who has taken 22 championship wickets this season, delivered three overs, in which he took the wicket of Mark Wallace, before being removed from the attack.
In 2013, Coles was sent home from a winter Lions tour — along with Ben Stokes — for what the management termed “unprofessional conduct”.
Coles has already been suspended once this season although he was strongly defended by Kent. He was banned for two championship games by the ECB for “throwing the ball at or near a player, umpire or official in an inappropriate and dangerous manner” — a Level Two breach of the ECB’s disciplinary code — which triggered an automatic suspension because he had accumulated 12 penalty points within a two year period.
Coles clearly has a problem. In addition to the England Lions' incident, it was rumoured that he left us under a similar cloud re drinking issues when he joined Hants. He is 26 now and allegedly a professional sportsman. It's about time he grew up and realised that. Or he sought help. Because he is too big a talent to waste it. Though he's probably used to being "wasted".
The guy's got masses of talent, but could easily step up to another level. Visibly, he doesn't look like an ambitious 26 year old pace bowler should do, but rather a 34 year old country trundler
Take the pledge & commit 100% to his career with KCCC or face the sack....
Anyone going tonight ?
:-)
Any Roland Out banners for the Sky cameras?
Going on a hospitality/VIP jobbie - don't think it would go down too well :-)
The helicopter picks me up at 3...
:-)
We have 4 spare tickets for the hospitality today with meal/wine/guest speaker etc.
I know it's late notice, but the meal is at 5:30. If you just want to join for a beer while the game is on you can do that to.
No charge of course, so free entry if anyone fancies.
Cheers.
Joe.
Well, would love to have taken up your offer but logged off here around 3pm & left 45 mins later for the apprx 75-80 minute journey.
Then the KCCC curse struck us yet again !
Doing well when we came to a standstill in a village somewhere around Chilham.
So, sat there.....
And sat there.....
....until we heard on Radio Kent there was a serious accident ahead of us , so reluctantly, at 5.30, decided to turn around & make for home ( in bloody Sussex!)
Watching now on Sky with a black cloud hovering over my head. Grrrrrrrr.
Can the lads win it without us ?
All that faffing about by the Sussex batsmen to no avail.
We done, Kent!
And well done the Fanackapans ! ( for failing to get to the match )
By releasing Alastair Cook to play for Essex against Kent on Sunday!
Serious, serious talent.
Come on the Spitfires!
Get ready to catch a few 6's from our lads !
Good game to win ...