FORMER West Indies’ Test captain and Kent favourite Carl Hooper is out of the Lancashire side travelling to The Nevill for the start to this year’s Tunbridge Wells’ Cricket Festival Week.

The Guyanan all-rounder bruised his thumb playing against Sussex last week and has withdrawn from the Lancashire side to take on Kent in four-day and totesport League games through until Sunday.

Kent have injury worries of their own, however, and have named a squad of 14 to cover all eventualities.

Rob Ferley is out having suffered a fractured knuckle batting against Surrey’s Martin Bicknell at The Oval last week and will be absent for another three weeks.

His place should go to fellow left-arm spinner Min Patel, but the veteran is still struggling to shake off a groin injury and may need a late fitness test to stake his claim.

Paceman Mohammad Sami is also struggling with a slight knee niggle, but is expected to play for the first time in The Royal Spa town at the expense of Amjad Khan and David Stiff, who are on standby.

Wicketkeeper Geraint Jones is absent on Test duty in Leeds, so his place goes to understudy Niall O’Brien who will be keen to improve on his work behind the stumps at The Oval.

Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, having returned from one-day international duty in Zimbabwe, regains his spot after missing the defeats to Surrey and Warwickshire.

Kent from: Fulton, Key, Smith, Symonds, Walker, Carberry, O’Brien, Tredwell, Patel, Sami, Saggers, Sheriyar, Stiff, Khan.

Lancashire from: Sutcliffe, Loye, Law, Chilton, Swann, Chapple, Cork, Hogg, Schofield, Crook, Hegg, Mahmood, Keedy.