Rob Key has revealed he is likely to have to wear ice packs on his wrists for the remainder of his career.

The Kent captain had surgery on his wrist over the winter after missing the end of last season due to constant pain and was touch and go whether he would be available to open the batting at the start of the season.

However, Key responded well to the operation and managed to come through pre-season unscathed to take his place in his side's opening LV= County Championship draw against Yorkshire last week.

The 32-year-old looked to be back to his best with the bat, hitting a measured 97.

He said: "Having a winter out when I didn't get to hold a cricket bat until the end of February and then come back in my first game, when up until a month or so before the start of the season I wasn''t sure whether I would be able to play the first game, was pleasing.

"It's nice to have scored some runs, because you never know whether you are going to be able to do anything after having a wrist operation. After batting for three or four hours it has held up pretty well which is good.

"It needs managing and I feel I spend my life walking around with ice packs on it to make sure the pain goes away, but it feels better than it has done for a long time.

"I think unfortunately it is the sign of old age. I have pretty unstable wrists as it is so have to somehow keep on top of them."

Kent visit Northamptonshire in their second championship game of the season, which starts tomorrow (Thursday).