INDIA’S stunning array of batting talent will grace St Lawrence today when the tourists take on one-day league champions Kent in an enticing one-day challenge match in Canterbury.

The Indian squad in the charge of former Kent coach John Wright, arrived at Kent’s headquarters for nets in readiness for the match – one of a handful of games organised to prepare the tourists for the forthcoming NatWest Triangular One-day International series against England and Sri Lanka.

Kent’s overseas star of the 2000 season Rahul Dravid is also amongst the party and was looking forward to playing in front of a Kent crowd again today.

"It was good just driving through the gates and bought back lots of good memories, indeed it was nice just being back in Canterbury again," said Dravid on his return.

"I very much enjoyed the season here and it’ll be good to meet up with the Kent boys again and see all the friendly faces."

Dravid, who nowadays keeps wicket for India in one-day internationals, says India are in decent form and are likely to field their full side for the clash against Kent.

"Our one-day form in the West Indies was pretty good on the whole and we were pleased with the way we played," he added. "I’m averaging 50 or thereabouts and I’m enjoying keeping wickets again. It’s hard work, what with the batting as well, but gives the side a better balance I think.

"We need to tighten up on a few things in Test cricket, but we’ll be working on that before we take on England. There were times in the West Indies when we struggled to bowl them out and we didn’t get enough runs on the board and in the end it was one bad innings that cost us dearly."

Kent meanwhile, will again be without their injured one-day skipper Matthew Fleming and David Fulton will again stand in. Fleming is undergoing treatment for a torn thigh muscle and could yet be fit for Sunday’s National League trip to take on Benson and Hedges Cup winners Warwickshire in Birmingham.

Kent are otherwise at full strength and seem set to include Matthew Walker, James Hockley, James Golding and James Tredwell who all played I the county’s six-wicket win over West Indies A yesterday.

Kent from: Fulton (capt), Key, Khan, Hockley, Symonds, Nixon, Ealham, Walker, Tredwell, Golding, Saggers, Hewitt, Trott, Smith.