by Andrew Gidley

Graham Ford admits he is playing catch-up after finally arriving in England from South Africa following a long wait to be granted his visa.

Kent's director of cricket (pictured) flew into Heathrow on Sunday morning, and went straight to Gatwick to be re-united with the Kent squad on their way to Edinburgh for Monday's Friends Provident Trophy match against the Scottish Saltires.

Ford, who has missed 10 of the county's matches, only heard on Friday he could leave for England, after collecting his papers from the South African High Commission.

The 48-year-old said: "The whole thing has dragged on and I did wonder whether it was ever going to happen. It was nice to get on the plane to London, but I kept wondering why only now.

"I feel a bit awkward really to arrive with the season in full swing, having been out of the loop. It's good to catch up with the boys again and chat over a few things, but it will be a few days before I feel part of it again.

"The most comforting thought for me was having great faith in Simon Willis, Rob Key, Martin van Jaarsveld and physio Nimmo Reid, and that things were in good hands."