KENT will start next week's county championship campaign without overseas all-rounder Andrew Hall following his selection in South Africa’s squad to face New Zealand in this Saturday’s first Test.

The county’s director of cricket Graham Ford had hoped to broker a deal for Hall, who some consider to be a fringe player in the Proteas 16-man squad, to be released in time to start the English season.

However, South Africa coach Mickey Arthur has indicated that will not be an option for at least the first two of the three-Test series, meaning Hall is likely to miss Kent’s opening three championship games.

Ford said: “Mickey thinks Hall has a real chance of playing so at this stage I can’t see him getting here until May 5.

“I am waiting on an update on Justin Kemp and whether the international board will release him, but at this stage I expect to see him here for next Wednesday's opening game at home to Durham.”

Ford confirmed the county were unlikely to bring in a temporary overseas replacement for either Hall or Kemp at this early point of the campaign.