Kent County Cricket Club players are returning to the St Lawrence ground from all corners of the globe this week to start preparations for the season.

Director of cricket Paul Farbrace (pictured) said: "Everyone is back this week with the exception of James Tredwell, who is away with England.

"Different people have been doing different things in different places throughout the past few months.

"Things are easier these days. We can communicate with people using Skype, email, phones or texts. We’ll be catching up with them and seeing how they are."

Young paceman Ashley Shaw, 19, is the only injury concern after an early return from Melbourne with a shin injury.

Farbrace added: "Other than that, everyone should be fit and raring to go.

Click here to follow our sports news as it breaks on Twitter

"We have four weeks until the first game of the season at Chelmsford and everything we do is geared toward that.

"For the first week it is all about getting the lads used to batting and bowling on grass again, and then for those who have been away getting them used to the conditions and seeing where their game is."

Among the 30 players due to take part in outdoor training are several teenagers who came through an indoor trial at the St Lawrence last week and former Surrey seamer Neil Saker, who is looking to earn a deal.