Sam Billings hailed the team camaraderie at Kent following their promotion to Division 1 of the Specsavers County Championship.

Kent’s thrashing of Glamorgan by an innings and 172 runs was enough to secure a place in the top division for next season with a game to spare.

Zak Crawley’s magnificent maiden first-class century and a second innings five-wicket haul for Darren Stevens handed their side the comprehensive victory.

Captain Sam Billings said: “The team camaraderie is like nothing else I’ve had before at Kent. It is very special and it is fitting that one of our youngest players was the standout performer in this game and it shows how far we’ve come.

“A guy comes in in a must win game and plays like that to get 168 in that context is outstanding and really showed his class.

“He’s show the potential and got very very close before but to get a big score like that is pleasing.

“Then the old guard of Stevo to finish it off. It’s just quite nice and sums up our season. It has not just been one bloke, it has been everyone.”

New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry had match figures of 8-98 to move his season tally to 74 wickets.

Stevens claimed two wickets in the first innings and 5-24 in the second to wrap things up early on day three.

Glamorgan were all out for 186 after electing to bat with Kent going on to post a first innings lead 250 thanks to Zak Crawley’s 168.

The visitors were skittled for 78 with Stevens and Henry taking nine of the 10 wickets required between them. With six wickets needed for the win on the third day, the opening pair completed the job in an hour and 15 minutes of play.

Billings said: “I joked and said to Joe (Denly) to get warm and they both (Henry and Stevens) gave me a glare that I won’t forget for a long time.

“I didn’t think it would be as quick as that in the morning. Like any game people might get a partnership together and we would have to fight hard.

“The chat we had this morning was about earning the right and not just expecting it to happen.

“Things went our way this morning and the nicks carried. We earnt the right with that as we bowled brilliantly and got the rewards.”

Prior to the match, Kent were 21 points clear of Sussex in third place and needed to better their points tally by three to guarantee promotion in the penultimate match.

With Kent taking maximum points from the game, and Sussex failing to get the required bonus points, they were promoted.

Billings added: “It has been a monumental effort from everyone in the club. It has not just been the first team but it has been whole squad effort.

“The Paul Downton effect behind the scenes has been fantastic this year. It is not just him but everyone.

“The whole squad playing for each other and everyone is moving in the same direction.”