CHASING 137 against Kent we were disappointed to fall 22 runs short and lose a T20 Blast game when we’d put in another pretty good bowling and fielding performance.

We backed ourselves to chase it down but no one in the top seven got going and there were a few soft dismissals.

The wicket was a bit tacky which made it tough to strike the ball cleanly. Kent bowled pretty well but there were too many dots in our innings. Perhaps we were trying to go for our power hits too much which meant we played and missed quite a bit. That built pressure and then we just couldn’t get our release shots away.

It is hard to put your finger on exactly why we haven’t been consistent with the bat – our preparation has been good. With the boys coming back from the four-day games we have been training on the morning of games this year. This has given us a chance to have a good white ball hit and white ball bowl before the match so we have all been feeling good. We just need to bat better.

The Kent game was our first T20 Blast match away from home and we are away again this week (v Sussex at Hove on Friday night).

One of the main differences is that the fans obviously get behind the home team more. But to be honest Canterbury is a quiet ground. It’s not like playing Somerset at Taunton when you get quite a lot of stick which can be quite intimidating if you aren’t used to it!

The match v Glamorgan at Bristol on June 8 is our family day and the club are letting kids in for free (when accompanied by an adult). It’s a great idea and hopefully it will mean we get more young fans through the gates.

As well as the on-the-field action there is loads of other stuff going on including a climbing wall, inflatable bowling net and face painting.

Hopefully, we can do our bit by putting a bit of a show on for them on the field. We want to inspire the youngsters to come and watch other matches and to pursue their own cricket too. Maybe a few of them will even aspire to play for the county themselves one day.

Geraint Jones, the 2005 Ashes-winning wicketkeeper, has come in on loan but because he has been away playing the Championship games I haven’t had a chance to talk to him yet. Hopefully, I will be able to pick his brains while he’s here as he has done it at the very highest level. I am sure all the younger players will be looking to learn from him over the next two months.