Daniel Bell-Drummond: Kent teenager hits maiden first-class century

Kent batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond hopes to continue his development after scoring his maiden first-class century.

The 19-year-old hit an unbeaten 102 against Cardiff University at Canterbury on Wednesday.

"It's a dream come true," he told BBC Radio Kent. "Hopefully it is the first of many for me.

"It's first-class cricket but it's not the County Championship. Hopefully I can push on, take confidence from it and do it there," he added.

"I'd like to do it in the Championship games but it's great to get my first hundred. To do it at home is an added bonus.

"I can take a lot of confidence from this but I will still keep focusing."

Bell-Drummond, normally an opener, averaged 27.00 from his six first-class appearances before the game against Cardiff University, his previous best of 80 having come on his first-class debut against Loughborough University in May 2011.

Having scored centuries for both the Kent second XI and the England Under-19 side, he says the influence of club captain James Tredwell helped him reach the milestone after coming to the crease in the middle order.

"I'm used to coming in early but I moved to five," said Bell-Drummond.

"It was weird at first, being there when the score is already 160-odd.

"Being with the first-team guys and doing it amongst them was what really made the difference for me.

"I've trained with Treddy quite a bit and been working with him. I knew what he was like but he was a real calming influence.

"He kept telling me to play my natural game and be positive. He helped me along for quite a few runs.

"Calum Haggett got out and I was on 80-odd.

"I was thinking 'please just get a not-out'.

"Thankfully the new ball was sliding onto the bat and coming off really nicely. I hit quite a few boundaries to get there quickly and it was great timing."

Bell-Drummond says he is content to remain at number five should he be named in the side for Kent's opening County Championship match at Leicestershire next Wednesday.

"I had a chat with the captain and our coach Jimmy Adams before the Cardiff game and they said they were planning to bat me in the middle," he said.

"I was completely open to the idea, although I am used to batting at the top all the time.

"Wherever I am batting, I am pretty happy as long as I can get in the first team.

"I have always wanted to be an opening or top-order batsman and that will never change but hopefully I can cement my place.

"I am feeling confident going into the new season but every day is a new day in cricket."