KENT today announced that they have signed former Surrey batsman Michael Carberry and re-signed Matthew Banes.

Carberry, who has been on the Surrey staff since 1999 and represented England at Under 19 level, has agreed a two-year contract.

The club has also reviewed its end of season decision to release Matthew Banes. Banes has been having success in grade cricket in Sydney this winter and it has been decided to re-engage him for the forthcoming season as a further boost to its batting line up.

Kent captain David Fulton expressed his delight at having persuaded Carberry to join the club. He said: "Robert Key had a good winter with England in Australia and we very much hope that his progress with England will continue this summer.

"However, it is possible that we might be without him for a number of matches and we want to ensure that we have the batting back up should this happen."