KENT have been rocked by the news that their star overseas all-rounder Andrew Hall could miss over a third of their 2007 championship schedule.

For the third season running Hall, who is signed up for the second season of a two-year deal, could be drawn into a club versus country tug-of-war should South Africa re-organise a limited overs trip to Sri Lanka.

Kent’s coaching co-ordinator Simon Willis said: "We’re waiting for South Africa’s potential tour of Sri Lanka to be confirmed, once we know more about that we’ll know in which direction we’ll want to move.

"It could have a significant impact on us, especially as we now have a smaller squad of 17 players."

Should South Africa reach the latter stages of the World Cup Hall will probably miss Kent’s opening pair of four-day, Liverpool Victoria Championship games, but if this re-scheduled tour of Sri Lanka goes ahead, he could also miss the last four championship matches as well.

Under such circumstances Kent will almost certainly look to find a replacement for their influential all-rounder, who finished top of both first-class batting and bowling averages last summer.