Darren Stevens was delighted to hit the ground running with his 32nd First Class century in this week’s clash with Leeds/Bradford MCCU.

The all-rounder turns 41 in April but claims he is hungry for runs this season after a couple of lean spells by his high standards.

Stevens hit just 782 red-ball runs last season, with two tons and three 50s, which was below par despite being an improvement on the 635 he amassed at an average of just 28 the previous season - both a far cry from his 1,300-run, 62-average 2013 campaign.

Tuesday’s knock of 115 took him past 14,000 career First Class runs and he admitted: “15,000 would be a nice target for the end of the year, wouldn’t it?”

He added: “It was pleasing. I’ve been very happy with my preparation. I had the old man flu a couple of weeks ago and it put me back a bit but last week was really good, I spent a lot of time in the middle practicing.

"To go out and get a hundred was really pleasing after what I’ve done through pre-season.”

Stevens claimed: “It would be nice to contribute with bat and ball this year. Runs is key. I want more runs - the last few years I didn’t get as many runs as I should have.

“Batting in the top six, I should be getting 1,000 runs, so that’s a nice target for me - if i can get 1,000 that would be brilliant.

“As for wickets, I’m just looking to do my job, bowl dot balls, maidens and hopefully it’ll bring me a few wickets.”

Stevens claimed the FGS Plant Tour to Antigua in January and February had been ‘really good for our prep for the summer’ and added: “There’s no better way to practice than match practice.”

Head coach Matt Walker was a happy man after the opening day of the season and added: “Hopefully it’s the first milestone of many this summer. I know Darren targeted the start of the season and to have a better season than he has done previously.

“It’s a great way to do it. These games are hugely valuable, especially as a batsman. If you get runs under your belt early season. it gives you real confidence going into the start of the real campaign.”

He added: “I was really pleased for both him and Joe Denly (who made 101), they have had good pre-seasons and it was evident in how they played.

“Yes, the game is still preparation for the season, but it was important that we treated it and attacked it like it was our first Championship game.

“I thought the boys did brilliantly, the mindset around the batting was great, a lot of intent in the batting. To have two hundreds at the end of the day is pleasing.”

Speaking at the club AGM on Tuesday evening, Walker told members that Kent’s bowling attack need to toughen up this summer.

He said: “A few fast bowlers are due some pretty important seasons. If they can’t get on the park their careers are under threat. (Assistant coaches) Jason Gillespie and Allan Donald will say it as it is - our aim is to get guys tougher. This year we want to be a tougher group."

Gillespie arrived this week and will remain at the club until June 10.

Matt Coles (foot) and Sam Northeast (hamstring) should be fit for the opening game at home to Gloucestershire on April 7 but probably won’t feature in the two-day friendly against Surrey starting on Sunday while Charlie Hartley is recovering from a dislocated finger.