KENT Cricket Club's opening pre-season friendly on Monday, April 4, between Kent and an Old Kent XI will be contested for the first time for the Hoppers' Tie Club Trophy.

The fixture at Canterbury's St Lawrence ground, starting at 2.30pm, will be played under Twenty20 regulations and the Old Kent XI hope to include Trevor Ward, Simon Hinks, Alan Wells, Dean Headley, Steve Marsh, Ben Trott, Kevin Masters and David Sabine in their side.

The Hoppers' Tie Club, which was formed on a rain-affected day in the Kent versus Worcestershire fixture in Gillingham in May 1939, has been chaired for the last 25 years by former opening bat Bob Wilson.

"We hope that by backing the Kent versus Old Kent game we will make the fixture a firm annual event and help raise the profile of the Hoppers' Tie Club at the same time," said Mr Wilson.

"I was over the moon when I was proposed to be a member and have had years of tremendous fun and camaraderie out of my membership.

"We hope that current players will start to look upon it as a worthwhile cause and something they too want to be part of."

Spectators are welcome at the match and admission is free.