Several of Kent’s biggest names, including former skipper Rob Key, could head to India on a pre-season training tour led by head coach Jimmy Adams in the new year.

Last February, Adams accompanied several Academy prospects and all-rounder Fabian Cowdrey to the Andhra Pradesh region on a 10-day tour.

After a bumper year off the field for Kent, the club are expected to fund a trip for several first team stars who have not played overseas during the winter months to get some warm weather practice before the season starts.

Key has been concentrating on media work since the end of the county season in September, while the likes of Matt Coles and David Griffiths are recovering from injury and James Tredwell was overlooked in the opening round of this week's Pakistan Super League draft - though Sam Billings was chosen by Islamabad United to play in the competition in the UAE in February. Adam Riley and Darren Stevens remain available in later rounds.

The Kent tourists will return to Canterbury in time for the start of pre-season training on March 8. They then have a home three-day game against Essex from March 23-25.

Kent will then head to Southampton for a two-day friendly against Hampshire on March 29-30 before returning to Canterbury to face Durham on March 31 and April 1.

The First Class opener against Loughborough MCCU is April 5-7, with the first game in the Championship at Worcester on April 10.

Sam Billings’ involvement in pre-season will depend on his inclusion in England’s squad for the ICC World T20 campaign which begins in India on March 8 with the final on April 3.

Meanwhile, Kent have ‘stepped away’ from the idea of applying to be part of one of six franchises in a proposed Women’s Super League, although Lady Kingsdown will retain the club presidency for an unprecedented second straight year in 2016.

The 2015 President, a Club Member for several decades, was the first female figurehead in the club's 146-year history.

The wife of former Kent Cricket President and Bank of England governor Lord Kingsdown, said: “I was absolutely thrilled to be appointed President in 2015.

"It was such an honour and a role I have thoroughly enjoyed. To be asked to return for a second year in 2016 is more than I could ever have hoped for.

"I look forward to 2016 with a huge amount of enthusiasm and I hope that it brings the Club much success."