KENT will go into the 2004 season with two overseas players in place after winning the race to sign Aussie Andrew Symonds and Pakistan paceman Mohammad Sami.

In a U-turn from last summer's decision to 'keep their powder dry' over the second overseas appointment, Kent are now keen to make a big impact come the first ball of the new championship campaign on April 16.

One-day international Symonds returns for a fourth season at St Lawrence, while Sami returns for a second, and hopefully longer stint.

The Karachi Express, who has been clocked at 160 kilometres an hour on Pakistan's winter tour of New Zealand, spent just five weeks with the county this summer before breaking down with an ankle injury.

His record-breaking eight for 64 and 15 wickets in the match against Nottinghamshire at Maidstone inspired Kent's first win of the summer in July and sparked their Kent successful run in to the end of the campaign.

It is believed a brace of other counties were bidding to win Sami's services, but Kent are clearly delighted to have won the day.

Of Queensland all-rounder Symonds, capatin David Fulton said: "Andrew has been a major influence both on and off the field in recent years and his growing reputation on the international stage makes him a real asset to any team."