by Alex Hoad

Kent assistant coach Phil Relf admits Paul Farbrace’s departure has been 'unsettling’ but believes the club are not in any rush to appoint a replacement.

Director of cricket Farbrace left the club at the end of season, which saw Kent finish next-to-bottom of LV= Championship Division 2, after two years in the role, despite chairman George Kennedy’s insistance that he wanted the former Sri Lanka assistant coach to remain at the St Lawrence Ground.

Relf (pictured) acknowledged: “It has been tough. It has been unsettling, I suppose, when you are losing that direction and leadership.

“But we have had a tough time with injuries and also the balance of the squad - it’s no secret about the financial restrictions in the last couple of years.”

He added: “Farby has shown his faith in home grown players and he and Rob Key showed they were prepared to give them a chance to play.

“The experience those young players have gained will stand them in good stead in years to come. He has laid foundations to build upon.

“It has been difficult though. You might want to include one or two youngsters in your side, but we’ve regularly had to play three, four or five of them at a time.”

Relf said he had 'no idea’ about the process to find a replacement and whether they would come from outside the club or within.

He said: “I have got no ideas at all. I’ll just get my head down and continue to work hard.

“I think the club will take time to draw breath. There is plenty of time, I’m sure the club have no plans to rush. They will take their time, and no doubt all the speculation is just that, speculation.”

Despite the season being over, Relf revealed plenty of work was still going on at the club, adding: “A lot of guys have got their winter plans in place since the season ended.

“There has been a lot of rest and recovery going on and a few of the guys have been coming in with the strength and conditioning coach Pete Kelly.”