Skipper Rob Key is pleased with the way Kent's preparations are going for the new season.

Kent will be playing Division 2 championship cricket for the first time following relegation last season.

And Key, who leaves for New Zealand with England Lions on Saturday alongside county team-mates Joe Denly and Amjad Khan, said: “Everyone seems to be trying a little bit harder.

"They have been in the nets hitting balls, and addressing weaknesses, and there has been a massive response from the players.

“Darren Stevens is away in South Africa, James Tredwell and Rob Ferley are going to India, Simon Cook is playing in Hong Kong where the facilities are apparently fantastic, and Robbie Joseph is playing for the Leewards Islands, and we are monitoring his progress there.”

Ferley and James Hockley’s return has been the sum total of Kent’s winter recruitment in a difficult financial climate, but are pressing ahead to sign an overseas player.

Key said: “We are working on things at the moment but want to make sure with get the best possible quality."