A Bold Step for Mental Wellbeing
In a surprising move for the world of cricket, Kent County Cricket Club has decided to turn off the comments sections on their social media pages. This decision is framed as a necessary step to fulfill their “duty of care” towards the players. The club’s actions come at a challenging time, as they have faced significant setbacks in recent years.
Struggles on the Field
Kent was relegated from Division One of the County Championship in 2024, and the situation did not improve under the leadership of former England player Adam Hollioake, who was appointed head coach in December 2024. Despite his efforts, the team finished at the bottom of the Division Two table in 2025. This poor performance continued into the new season, with Kent sitting at the bottom of the second tier after recording zero wins from their first three games.
Hollioake Speaks Out
Hollioake addressed the decision ahead of the match against Derbyshire, explaining that the move was not taken lightly. He emphasized that the club is not trying to silence supporters but rather to protect the players from harmful criticism.
“The majority of our supporters are behind us and criticise us fairly,” he said. “But when this crosses the line, it can be damaging to not only the players but their friends, family and loved ones.”
Kent has a substantial online following, with over 104,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter) and more than 64,000 on Instagram. While the club has not set a timeline for when comments will be reactivated, they have confirmed that supporters can still share their opinions through email and members’ forums. The first forum is scheduled to take place at Canterbury on the opening day of the Derbyshire match.
A Rare Move in Cricket
While it is common for individual athletes to step back from social media, especially during major tournaments, it is rare for an entire club to take such a step. This decision highlights the growing awareness of mental health issues within the sport.
Focusing on the Future
Kent described the move as a short-term measure aimed at helping players focus better. The club stated:
“This short-term move aligns with our short-term strategy to allow players and staff to work and play with freedom and clarity. We support each other as a whole club, in line with our core values of unity, respect and responsibility.”
Player Departures and Batting Issues
Beyond the on-field struggles, Kent has also seen several key players leave the club in recent years. Ollie Robinson moved to Durham, Jordan Cox transferred to Essex, while Nathan Gilchrist and Jack Leaning joined Warwickshire and Sussex respectively.
A major challenge for the team has been their batting performance. They have already been bowled out for below 250 four times this season in just three matches. After a heavy defeat against Worcestershire, Hollioake pointed to batting as a key area needing improvement.
Concentration has also been a concern, particularly for England’s opener Zak Crawley, whose highest score this season is just 31. His position in the England squad is under threat following the Ashes series.
Reflecting on Past Challenges
Hollioake also spoke about past struggles and the importance of mental health. He mentioned two former teammates, Graham Thorpe and Robin Smith, who passed away due to mental health issues.
“Throughout my career in cricket as a player and a coach, I’ve had to deal with a lot, that’s no secret. I’ve seen in recent times two players and friends that I played alongside for England go down a bad path in terms of mental health and I’ve lost both of them.”
He added:
“It’s part of my job and my duty of care to make sure we don’t see that again.”
