Rob Key says Kent youngsters should have England ambitions

Captain Rob Key says his rising Kent stars should be pushing for England selection this summer.

Kent have a number of youngsters who are beginning to fulfil their talent, such as Sam Billings, Sam Northeast, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Adam Riley and the returning Matt Coles and Joe Denly – back at Canterbury after spells at Hampshire and Middlesex respectively – who Key feels should have England ambitions.

Kent had a poor 2013 season but improved last year, particularly in one-day cricket. Key believes they can carry on improving this summer, and if they do that they can challenge for silverware.

He told Sky Sports News HQ: “We started the rebuilding phase a couple of years ago. If we play well we’ll have a good chance in all forms – if we play badly we’ll be nowhere near.

“We’ve got some good young players, Sam Billings and Adam Riley who have been away with England Lions. We’ve got Matt Coles who has come back, Joe Denly – who shouldn’t be forgotten when you’re talking about an England prospect…there’s a lot of them here.

“We’ve put a lot of emphasis on guys who are not just from Kent, but English-qualified players who can go on and make a difference for England. In the last year I thought we saw the benefit of that.

“Players like Daniel Bell-Drummond, Sam Northeast, there’s a lot of players who should be on the England Lions radar and a few of them even for the full side.”

The ECB created a new position of director of England Cricket this week after deciding to part company with managing director Paul Downton following an inquest into England’s poor World Cup campaign.

Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan and Alec Stewart have all been named as possible candidates for what will be an important role.

Key, a former England Test opener, knows all three well, and says any one of them would be an excellent choice.

He said: “This is a role that is really hands on with cricket. Now whether they are qualified to go and deal with budgets…but from what I understand of what I’ve read in the media, this going to be more about focussing on cricket – taking England cricket forward, the team, the domestic structure – everything.

“Now those guys are your perfect people – pick any one of them. They’d do a fantastic job. Let’s hope that the role the ECB gives them allows them to do that. Those three are very credible candidates.”