Rob Key has backed Doug Bollinger to lead the LV= County Championship Division 2 in wickets in his debut season as Kent’s overseas player.

The 32-year-old Aussie paceman, pictured, has collected 12 scalps in the opening two Championshipgames of the season at an average of 19 to leave him fourth in the fledgling standings.

Key admitted: “I haven’t seen pace like that for a while, running down the hill at Canterbury, and I thought he was exceptional at Worcester on a pitch with no grass or bounce in it whatsoever.”

He added: “I think he’s going to get better and better and already he’s starting to climb up the wicket tally, he’s going to be right up there.

“Doug, leading that attack, when he gets a little bit of luck, is going to be exceptional.”