Rob Key says there is a lot more to come from Kent, and from himself, as he seeks a big score to help claim a first win of the campaign at home to neighbours Surrey.

Kent were thwarted last time out at Canterbury, having to settle for a rain-affected draw, despite an aggressive declaration while trailing Leicestershire by 64 runs on the penultimate evening, a result which left Key’s side second-bottom of LV= County Championship Division 2.

Key insisted they will aim to right the wrongs of the opening two games when they face basement-boys Surrey, coached by former Kent supremo Graham Ford.

The skipper said: “We can play better. We tried to force the issue against Leicestershire. We didn’t bowl as well as we could have done, especially the first day. In the first game at Worcester we didn’t play that well, we bowled pretty well but we didn’t bat that well.

“There is a lot more yet to come from us. We know we can play a lot better than we have done so far. A few of us need to go and start racking up some big scores because if we can do that we have a bowling attack to do some damage.”

Only Daniel Bell-Drummond averages over 50 in the Kent side after four innings of the season, and two of the team’s three half-centuries have gone to the 20-year-old No.3.

Key said: “It’s good to see and there is more to come from him. He’s done brilliantly but hopefully he can go on from here.”

He added: “Things are starting to come together, a few more of us need to start hitting the ball better – not getting a start and then not going on with it.

“Early season can be tricky against the new ball. I was playing all right for 20-odd in the first innings against Leicester and then got out with a poor shot.

“They’re the ones you need to cash in on. When that happens I think we’ll go on to play some good cricket.

“We haven’t hit our straps at all at the minute, but when we do, hopefully, with Doug (Bollinger) running down the hill with some good pace we’ll be a good side to watch.”

Key revealed the 10-day break from action has given the squad: “The chance to regroup and start moving forward. We’ve not quite got going in the Championship yet.”