Daniel Bell-Drummond says the onus is on him to fill the huge void left by the departure of Rob Key at the top of the Kent order – and he’s begun in the right fashion.

The 22-year-old followed-up his career best 206 not out in the First Class game against Loughborough MCCU last time out with a crucial 124 in the first innings at Leicester on Sunday.

With Key’s retirement last week, Bell-Drummond is now the experienced head at the top of the order, whether he’s opening with Sean Dickson, as he did on Sunday, or Kiwi international Tom Latham who comes into contention for Sunday’s clash with Glamorgan.

He said: “Keysey is a massive loss. Me being at the top of the order the fast few years, I need to step-up a bit more, as does everyone in the batting department when you lose (someone like him).

“I have played England Lions now and I’m a capped player. A lot of the guys aren’t youngsters anymore and we need to stand up and be counted.

“Everyone’s gradually doing that and I’m in that boat, I’ve gone all right for Kent but want to do a bit better and keep pushing my boundaries.

“There’s a gaping hole there now Rob’s gone, historically anyway as he’s been there since a kid but cricket moves on and it’s time for us to stand up.”

Bell-Drummond shared a vital century stand with Adam Rouse on the opening afternoon of the rain-hit clash at Grace Road. He added: “I feel good and was able to continue my form from the University game.

It was one of my more fluent knocks. I had to be watchful before lunch but Adam and I kept the scoreboard ticking over in the afternoon.

“I grew up with Adam playing England under-19s. He has a lot of talent. That knock should give him a lot of confidence.”

Bell-Drummond has again been linked with an England Test future and he admitted: “I’d like to think I can step up in time but I have to focus on playing well for Kent and not look too far ahead.”