OPENING batsman Rob Key will become the 52nd Kent player to represent England when he walks out in Thursday’s 2nd Test against India in Nottingham.

The 23-year-old right-hander from Beckenham received his call up into the 13-man party for the Trent Bridge Test on Sunday with an early morning call from chairman of selectors David Graveney.

"We’d got back from the match in Durham just after 2am in the morning and David Graveney was on the phone just before 10am telling me the news," said a weary but delighted Key. "It was a short call because there were a few others he had to get round to, but it was a sweet one to say the least."

Key’s selection barely four years since his first-class debut and just a year after winning his county cap is reward for his undoubted natural talents, but also testament to the England and Wales Cricket Board’s development system.

Rising through the junior international ranks, Key played for South England as a thirteen year-old, progressed to skipper England under-17s, starred for England under-19s Junior World Cup winning side in South Africa in 1998 and returned their the following year with England A.

After scoring 1,073 runs for Kent last season at an average of 44.7 he was selected to tour Australia with the ECB National Academy side.

"Test cricket is always something I’ve set my sights out to do, and felt I’ve been quite close for the last couple of seasons," said Key.

"Playing well on the academy tour has obviously helped me a hell of a lot because people like Rod Marsh and John Abrahams have plenty of power in the game and hold a lot of sway, getting their backing has proved to be a big thing for me.

"I’m really looking forward to it and will try and be the same old ‘Keysy’ that Kent supporters see each week."