Justin Kemp teamed up with his prospective Kent team-mates in Hove today after flying in from Cape Town to prepare for his ECB registration appeal at Lord's next Wednesday.

The South African all-rounder, who put pen to paper on a two-year Kolpak deal with Spitfires in the autumn - months before playing in the Indian Cricket League - remains quietly determined to clear his name.

In an exclusive interview with KM Group cricket writer Mark Pennell, Kemp said: "I think everyone who knows me or has had dealing with me in the past knows my desire to play for Kent is huge.

"I have been approached by one or two other counties to play in England, but I've played some of my best cricket for Kent and Kent is where I want to be.

"I've signed up for two years and I'm already looking longer-term than that because I'm in an environment here where I can really enjoy myself.

"It has been nerve racking for me and I am disappointed at not being allowed to play, but hopefully things can all be resolved next Wednesday and things will sort themselves out.

"I'd like to think that me being over here more than a week ahead of the appeal hearing is a clear indication of how strongly I want to play for the club.

"I would never have made the decision to play in India if I had known at the time I was putting my career with Kent into any jeopardy whatsoever. That's clear with all my dealings, before I did anything I spoke with Kent first."

Kemp also explained that the gloss was taken off his short stint playing for the Hyderabad Heroes by the ECB's refusal to grant his playing registration with Kent and the impending appeal hearing.

He added: "People laugh off Pro-20 cricket as a bit of hit and giggle, but the IPL was tough, intense cricket.

"With the appeal hanging over me it was difficult to enjoy it hugely and right up to the beginning of the tournament I was weighing up the implications of just walking away from the whole thing, but that would have opened up a whole new can of worms."