KENT and England batsman Robert Key heads for Sri Lanka next week eager to test himself against some of the world’s best exponents of spin bowling.

The 23-year-old right-handed batsman is off to join up with the Academy Squad led by former Australian wicket-keeper Rod Marsh.

He said: “I had the option to go and it has really proved to be a little bit of a bonus after not being picked for the World Cup one day squad.

“It’s a place I have never been to before and it gives me a chance to develop my game against spin which will be excellent.”

Meanwhile, Key says he kept in touch with Kent coach Ian Brayshaw while he was in Australia, via e-mail. The Kent man added: “I mailed him a couple of times, but he was six or seven hours away down in Perth, which makes you suddenly realise what a big country Australia is.”