Kent skipper Rob Key is backing James Tredwell to take his chance when it comes in the World Cup which starts on Saturday.

Tredwell (pictured) grabbed a few days at home last week, before flying off with the England squad at the weekend ahead of two warm-up games this week against Canada and Pakistan. Their first game is against Holland in Nagpur next Wednesday.

He figured in only one of the one-day internationals in the losing series against Australia, but could be used in a three-pronged spin attack with Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy on the more helpful pitches on the sub-continent.

Key said: “I spoke to Treddy at the gym last week and he seemed fine. It’s tough in that position, and I have been in it before, when you are travelling around on tour and not playing.

"Having to carry the drinks can be pretty soul-destroying at times, but he would have taken every opportunity to improve his own game while he could.

“I thought he would have got a lot more opportunities than what he did in Australia, and it’s been a pretty tough winter for him.

"He has got to show and do everything he can in practice, and hope that somebody else’s misfortune will be his good luck."