By Graham Jones

Martin van Jaarsveld admits playing in Division 1 of the LV= County Championship is going to be a big step up for Kent.

Van Jaarsveld helped the county return to the top flight at the first time of asking last season after their relegation in 2008 but admits they will have to be at their best this summer.

The Kent vice-captain said: "First division cricket is strong and it will be a quite big step up for us.

"A lot of people have seen we are a little bit thin on bowling resources and hopefully our bowlers can stay fit.

"Stuart Clark not coming was a massive blow. Everyone is working hard to find us an overseas seamer and hopefully he will be here sooner rather than later.

"We want to challenge ourselves against the best that is out there and I’m sure those challenges are going to come this season.

"If you look around the country there are some good bowling line-ups. On any given day it is tough to get a big score but that is why we play this game, to test ourselves."

Van Jaarsveld will be looking to replicate his scintillating form the last time the club played in Division 1. The 35-year-old was named Professional Cricketers’ Association Player-of-the-Year and puts his success during that season down to two things.

He said: "Firstly, there was something in my technique that I managed to sort out, which freed up my game quite a bit.

"The other thing was that our first child was born because she put life in perspective. Too often in the past I would go away after a bad score and over-think things. I would wonder why it happened and the whole thing would just spiral.

"But after Bella came along there was no time for that and I was also so tired I would just go out there
and just play. It is a great space to be in."

Van Jaarsveld expects Kent to challenge for honours again this season, particularly in the one-day competitions.

He said: "At the start of any season you look around and there are trophies to be won. We are pretty steady at Twenty20 cricket, and it is another campaign we are all looking forward to.

"In Pro40 cricket, with the team we have, we can really challenge."

Don’t miss our eight-page Kent County Cricket Club special supplement in this week’s Kent Messenger, Kentish Gazette, Kentish Express and Medway Messenger.