FORMER England fast bowler Martin McCague is refusing to write off his Kent career despite having slipped quietly out of the first team limelight.

The 33-year-old Irish-born, Australian-raised strike bowler has not featured in either Kent first or second teams this month after a 12-year county career and has hardly been seen at Canterbury net sessions.

He is playing Kent League cricket for Sittingbourne-based Gore Court and making guest appearances for the Lashings all-star side in the hope that he may receive a surprise county call up.

Retained on a pay-as-you-play contract McCague, who won the last of his three England Test caps in 1995, is working hard at making a success of his benefit season.

In his absence, James Golding, James Hewitt, David Masters and Ben Trott have all edged above him in the first team pecking order, adding to the belief that McCague has already made his last appearance for the county.

“It’s been a difficult year all-round, but I’d like to think that the Kent members haven’t seen the last of me just yet,” said McCague. “The club are playing young fast bowlers as trialists in the 2nd XI at the moment and asked me to stand down to allow them to play. That I’ve agreed to, but it is frustrating.

“I’d like to be out there in the middle helping to nurture these young lads. They need some experienced heads out there, but I can’t put anything back in to the club if I’m at home.”

Kent’s chief executive Paul Millman said the door to the Kent dressing room remained ajar for McCague. “Martin is welcome to net sessions and if he can get himself fully fit and firing on all cylinders he’d be considered for selection like anyone else,” said Mr Millman.

“He was very close to playing at the start of the season in the Benson and Hedges qualifiers, but since then he’s had a lot on his plate with the benefit. “But do remember that we have a competitive situation among our seam bowlers.”