If anyone still needs convincing that two-divisional cricket has raised the overall standard of the county game, they need look no further than Kent’s rookie batsman Neil Dexter for evidence.

The 23-year-old Johannesburg-born player has struggled to cement a place in Kent’s top-flight four-day side despite scoring two centuries, six 50s and averaging over 47 in first-class cricket.

Then, when you throw in his athletic fielding, 13 catches in 19 appearances and a tally of nine wickets with his useful medium-paced seamers, it becomes even harder to understand why Dexter’s name isn’t one of the first onto Rob Key’s team sheet.

Four years into his Kent career, the mild-mannered Dexter is approaching the final season of his two-year contract and realises that 2008 may represent his ‘last chance saloon’ with Kent.

Other counties have already come courting, hoping to woo Dexter away, but the amiable batsman who joined Kent from Suffolk League side Sudbury, is still aiming to make as success of things at St Lawrence.

He said: "I’ve spent much of the winter playing club cricket with Crusaders in Durban and working on my technique with our coach Graham Ford.

"I’ve come back here feeling pretty good about my game.

"I wanted to take a break in some ways, sort out where I was going this season with Kent and work hard over the winter for five hours a day in the gym.

"I’m much stronger now, which is already helping with my batting. I’ve worked on my stance and covering the stumps a bit more because last year I got caught a few times pushing away from my body."

He added: "I’ve spoken about batting during pre-season with Rob Key and although I’m not intent on copying him, I do love the way he keeps things simple.

"It's early days yet for this season and I’m trying not to look too far into the future. I’m just focusing on the games coming up and hoping to do well.

"I know I have to capitalise on my chances. I’ve been here since 2005 and I’d hoped to be in the team permanently by now but that’s down to me and taking these opportunities when they come my way."