Exclusive: From Boland to Kent, Keith Dudgeon Seeks New Heights and a Proteas Call-Up

South African-born all-rounder Keith Dudgeon, who has made a name for himself in domestic cricket with Boland, is enjoying a new chapter in his career after being signed by Kent County Cricket Club for the current season.

Dudgeon’s journey has taken him from South Africa to the UK, and his stellar debut performance for Kent has caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts.

Kent Signing

Dudgeon’s move to Kent came after a period of communication and anticipation with the club. He had previously been in talks with Kent about a potential opportunity but had to delay his arrival due to unforeseen complications.

“I have been in contact with them over the last couple of years, about potential opportunities. Last year I was supposed to come over and play a very short stint as cover for one of the bowlers. Obviously, there were some complications and it didn’t work out,” Dudgeon told SportsBoom.com. 

This year, however, Dudgeon’s involvement in the SA20 league—where he shared the field with notable players like Joe Root and Zak Crawley—proved to be a breakthrough. Their positive impressions helped propel him to Kent. 

“They were quite impressed with what they saw in me. And they put me forward to Daniel Bell-Drummond, who I already have been chatting to since last year and is the team captain,” Dudgeon added. 

Currently, Dudgeon is on an 8-week contract for Kent, with the possibility of extension based on his performance. 

“I would love to spend more time here and get the full experience but that is out of my hands. There are obviously the logistical issues that need to be sorted out,” he shared, eager to make a lasting impact.

County Cricket Experience

Dudgeon is well aware of the challenges county cricket presents, particularly with the differences in playing conditions and the type of ball used. 

South Africa predominantly uses the Kookaburra ball, while England prefers the Duke ball. Dudgeon has also had to quickly adapt to different weather conditions and a new cricketing culture.

“The South African cricket system is very strong. I pride myself on the level of cricket we play back home. But here it’s the difference in conditions, the challenges of being an overseas pro, bowling with the Duke ball, those are the kinds of things I really look to take out of my experience here."

County cricket is also about taking on more responsibility, particularly as an overseas player. “It’s also a little bit more responsibility on myself with workloads and hopefully a good cricket career stint,” he added.

County of Kent

Dudgeon’s transition to Kent has been a whirlwind. After finishing his last game for Boland, he flew straight to the UK, walked into the dressing room, and was on the field the very next day. Despite the lack of time to adjust, Dudgeon has quickly settled into his new team environment.

"So far it has been great. It really has been great. I didn’t really have much time to find my feet [laughs]. I finished my last game for Boland, got on a plane the next evening, straight in the dressing room, and on the park the following day,” he recalled. 

Now that he has some time to settle down, Dudgeon is enjoying the camaraderie of the Kent squad. 

“The guys [Kent] are great and a really nice bunch of guys. The coaching staff have a clear direction where they want to take this team. Having a good bunch of cricket players makes life a lot easier."

Debut Game for Kent

Dudgeon’s debut for Kent was nothing short of sensational. He delivered career-best figures of 7/36 in an innings and took 8 wickets in the match against Northants. 

Reflecting on his memorable performance, Dudgeon said, “The first match was fantastic, I don’t think I could’ve asked for a better debut. I was fortunate enough to start quite well with the ball and got a wicket very early, which settled the nerves."

"You always want to make an impression and impact for the team straight away. Moving forward, I want to learn to bowl with the new ball, which produces a bit of bounce in those conditions.”

Aging Like Fine Wine

At 29 years old, Dudgeon believes he is entering a new phase in his cricketing career. Over the years, he has developed into a key player for the teams he’s represented, including the Tuskers and Boland. With his recent career-best figures for Kent, it seems that Dudgeon’s best years may still be ahead of him.

“I would like to think I am ageing like fine wine [laughs]. As I am getting older, I am obviously learning more, being more patient, and not being hard on myself. Maybe 1 or 2 balls will be off, so just stay patient and be competitive."

Reflecting on his past season with Boland, Dudgeon noted that while not everything went his way, his performance for Kent reaffirmed his abilities. 

“I have had a good season with Boland, I bowled well. Maybe 1 or 2 things didn’t go my way, but getting rewarded upfront with those figures with Kent really helped.”

Proteas Dream Still Alive

Dudgeon’s move to Kent and his recent success has reignited dreams of representing South Africa, following in the footsteps of other players like David Bedingham, who earned a Proteas Test debut at the age of 29.

While Dudgeon remains realistic about the competitive nature of South African cricket, he hasn’t given up on his dream of playing for the national team. 

“This one is a tricky one because South Africa is blessed with so many fast bowlers and all-rounders. You could never script yourself to be in the national set-up. I am at the stage of my career where, whichever team I play for or wherever I am, I just want to make an impact and let the rest take care of itself."

“To play for my country is still a dream, and I don’t think it’s fair to say it’s a goal because there are so many good players. Selection and whatnot are out of our control. The dream is to play for South Africa and earn my Test cap in any way or form. That would be fantastic for my career."

For now, Dudgeon is focused on taking it one day at a time, performing to the best of his ability, and seeing where his career leads. Whether at Kent, Boland, or in the SA20, he is committed to making the most of every opportunity.