Kent could be one of two Division 1 sides beginning the new season without an overseas player following this week's annoucement that Australian Stuart Clark won’t be coming.

Champions Durham are the only other team yet to recruit an import with Kent team director Paul Farbrace admitting finances and availability are key to the search for a replacement.

He won’t rule out the county starting against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge next month using their own resources.

He said: "Stuart was our best option by a country mile and there is nobody more frustrated and disappointed than me that he is not coming.

"It’s not the end of the world though and it won’t be catastrophic if we don’t get one, but we want to get the right person for the right money who will enhance our squad."

He added: "We have explored so many options, I could write a dossier on fast bowlers. We have spoken to selectors, international coaches and captains and they have all given us a good steer but it doesn’t make the search any easier.

"We have got to be cautious and careful about things and we can’t throw money at the problem. The chairman (George Kennedy) and treasurer (Simon Philip) have been fantastic, making sure we get the players we want, but we have got to work with the budget available.

"We did good deals for Clark and Malinga Bandara, without the use of agents, but we can’t be gung-ho and sign all and sundry."