By Andrew Gidley

Skipper Rob Key says Kent’s 10-day break from cricket is perfectly timed as they move into the final month of the season.

Last week’s LV= County Championship Division 1 draw against Somerset, on the back of the victory against Essex, boosted the county’s chances of staying up.

Having no interest in T20 finals day for the first time in four years is the reason Kent can put their feet up for a few days, but surviving in Division 1 is now the main objective.

"There is a lot of hard work still to do, but we have got to keep playing well," said Key (pictured).

"There are guys coming into form which is a good thing, because we haven’t batted very well.

"Hopefully we can enjoy these few days off, come back next week, work pretty hard ahead of the Lancashire game on Wednesday, and have a good run-in."

Key, who will start the game 78 short of scoring 15,000 first class runs, added: "The break has been very welcome.

"I had a few weeks off after breaking my finger, but some of the other boys have probably been on borrowed time as far as their bodies are concerned, so it’s come at just the right time.

"Another championship game would have been a tough ask, so it’s been really good to get time off at a crucial stage of the season.

"We might not see too much more of Azhar Mahmood in four-day cricket this season, but he has been great for us."