I questioned if coaching was right for me – Hollioake

Coach Adam Hollioake has witnessed both the peaks and troughs of leading a cricketing side to Kent.

After finishing bottom of the County Championship Division Two table in 2025, Kent entered the remainder of the season with promotion secured by them.

The Titans now lead Northamptonshire by four places, sitting second on the list, while the latter face Middlesex Thursday.

Securing a win against Northamptonshire en route to a home triumph over Gloucestershire at Canterbury could restore Kent to the top flight two seasons after relegation in 2024.

Yet Hollioake, who stepped in from Walker in 2025, admitted to doubting his capability when Kent managed just two of fourteen wins in the previous campaign.

“There was a time at the beginning of the year when I was questioning whether coaching was actually the right thing for me,” the 55‑year‑old told BBC Radio Kent.

“Self‑doubt is inevitable, but my tenacity and resilience have guided me through these moments”, he said to BBC Radio Kent.

“I simply required we uphold those standards relentlessly and returned to them whenever necessary, constantly reminding the players that improvement was possible”, he commented.

Kent have recorded seven wins from thirteen matches this term, adding seventy‑eight more points compared to their last run.

Hollioake attributes the upward trend to handling each fixture methodically and sticking to a clear strategic template despite earlier setbacks.

The former England all‑rounder expressed confidence that Kent would succeed against Gloucestershire, citing early‑season gains following a narrow win over Lancashire and a solid performance at Derbyshire.

“Northampton will continue its typical form, the local climate will shape conditions, and the outcome here cannot be controlled.”, he added.

All we can do is execute the tactics established since the fourth week of the season and persistently adhere to that blueprint.

Implementing that approach leaves external variables behind, giving the core strategy a decisive edge.

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