Off-spinner James Tredwell goes into the 2008 season with Kent a changed man. Following his winter tour to New Zealand with England’s one-day international squad, Tredwell’s body looks trimmer and far more toned than ever while his shoulders appear much broader after hours of winter work in the gymnasium.

That said they will need to be. For the first time in his career, Tredwell finds himself going into a domestic season as Kent’s main spin bowler after the retirement of Min Patel with a persistent elbow injury.

So Tredwell will have to shoulder the burden of slow bowling responsibilities at Kent this summer, a responsibility he is very much looking forward to.

He said: "Although I went on tour, I still haven’t played for England, so in those terms I’m still really keen to show the selectors what I can do and the best way to do that is with top performances for Kent.

"The pressure is always there, it’s more intense now with Min gone but hopefully I can step up and meet the challenge.

"That’s what we all play the game for really, to be the man in charge and the man in possession and that’s when the real work starts.

"Now I find myself in the position that I am with Kent this year, it's down to me to try and keep that spot by training harder and doing the things that will make me improve as a player. If I do that, then keeping my place will look after itself."

As for the frustrations of going on tour and not making an appearance, Tredwell added: "To be fair, I think I've come out of it pretty well. My cricket’s moved on a little in terms of my batting and bowling because I’ve been training for much of the winter against players from the highest level.

"Also, I pretty much know what I need now to progress to that higher level and my training now is really aimed at moving me up to that level.

"I’m working hard on my fielding and I’m hopeful that will be noticeable to the supporters once the season starts."

Although he feels his game and fitness levels are in tip-top condition after pre-season training, Tredwell has set himself distinct areas for improvement once Kent take to the field in earnest.

The 26-year-old said: "I was pleased with how last season went, so if I can continue with my bowling as it was last year, take a few more wickets in championship cricket, maybe move my batting forward and become an integral member of our fielding unit rather than just the ‘solid’ fielder I’ve usually been perceived

to be.

"I want to be a safe pair of hands in the slips and make every part of my fielding game more useful, so I’ve even been working on the techniques of my sliding stops, diving and my throwing just to improve my all-round game."

He added: "If I can sharpen those things in my game, I might take more catches off my bowling and start fielding in the key areas in one-day cricket, like backward point or mid-wicket rather than third man or deep cover.

"All that will help make me a more integral part of the side."