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Kent head coach Matt Walker honoured at new role and eager to work with assistant Allan Donald

17:00, 05 January 2017

New Kent head coach Matt Walker says he is honoured to be handed the role and is looking forward to working with one of the 'all-time greats' in Allan Donald.

Donald was unveiled as Walker's assistant on Thursday afternoon as Kent revealed who would be replacing Jimmy Adams, who returned to the Caribbean before Christmas after five seasons at the helm, three of them with Walker as assistant.

Walker, 43, said: "It's an honour. I'm very proud to have played for Kent for 16 seasons. I grew up as a Kent lad. I have always been very honoured and humbled to have had such a long career and it was a privilege to play for the county I love and grew up in.

Walker celebrated with Amjad Khan and Rob Key after dismissing David Sales in September 2004. Picture: Ady Kerry
Walker celebrated with Amjad Khan and Rob Key after dismissing David Sales in September 2004. Picture: Ady Kerry

"It's extremely humbling, I'm proud, flattered and extremely grateful for the opportunity to get my teeth stuck into this role."

Walker claimed the news hadn't quite sunk in, adding: "It seems mad. In 1992 when started out on this journey the thought that I might be head coach here all these years later. It's hard to sink in at the moment.

"I'm excited. I went for the job because I feel I can make a difference and I can take this club on to hopefully great things.

"I didn't just go for the job because of natural progression or to show ambition, I felt now was the right time to work with this group of players.

"I have helped develop them and improve them for three years now hopefully I can take them on."

Walker revealed he was looking forward to working with South African legend Donald, despite 'not knowing him as a bloke.'

Walker revealed: "He went for the head coach role and obviously didn't get it but club were very keen to get him involved in some aspect.

"He seems to be very keen to be involved in Kent and likes where we're going.

"I played against him a couple of times in my career. The bottom line is we have one of the all-time great cricketers on board. He's coached at pretty high levels with various bowling groups.

"it's great to have a man of that calibre on board. It's great for me to hopefully learn off him and him off me.

"If you're not inspired by working with someone like Allan Donald then you're probably in the wrong job. We're very lucky to have him on board.

"It's not just him though, we have Mark Ealham, Min Patel, a great medical team. I'm really pleased with how the group is shaping up.

"Now the hard work starts."

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