New head coach Matt Walker says instilling a winning mentality at Kent is the final piece in the jigsaw of success.

The 43-year-old club stalwart was unveiled as successor to Jimmy Adams last week and immediately set his sights on turning the talent he has helped nurture over the past three years as assistant coach, towards glory.

He said: “The club are moving forward on and off the field. We’ve got a way to go.

“The challenge is to make the team believe we can win. I don’t know if that’s been in place for a number of years.

“The last couple of years has set up a group with immense talent and now it’s up to me and the staff to make sure it’s pushed to produce the performance level that everyone wants.”

Walker says his role is much more than technical tips and team-talks, adding: “The role of coach is not just improving players but improving them as people.

“It’s important to me. Last year we identified a few areas to improve in terms of how we look, how we behave, time-keeping – all the little things that can sometimes be taken for granted.

“It’s impacted on the field, too. We’ve tried to raise the standards of practice, make it tougher and challenging and we’ve seen the benefits on the pitch and hopefully we continue to do so.”

Gravesend-born Walker admits he is honoured to have been handed the role and is looking forward to working with one of the ‘all-time greats’ in Allan Donald as his No.2.

Walker said: “It’s an honour. I’m proud to have played for Kent for 16 seasons. I grew up as a Kent lad. I have always been honoured and humbled to have had such a long career and it was a privilege to play for the county I love and grew up in.

“It’s extremely humbling, I’m proud, flattered and grateful for the opportunity to get my teeth stuck into this role.”