Jimmy Adams says Kent are in a ‘fantastic position’ thanks to the wealth of young talent pushing for first-team action in 2014.

Adams said some of the young guns had pushed themselves into his plans for 2014, adding: “There have been highlights throughout this season from individual players.

“Young players have put their hands up in a big way, Adam Riley’s bowling through the season, Fabian Cowdrey coming into first team cricket and making a statement while doing so.

“There was also young Adam Ball coming in at the end and showing he has to be considered a genuine all-rounder going forward, not just a bowler.”

He added: “I’d like to think we have a core group here going forward. One thing you can’t factor is how quickly young players are going to progress. We have to be very careful.

“Our 20-man squad involves a lot of younger players who are getting better and that is a fantastic position to be in.

“I’d like to think we have a measure of stability here and we can build on that stability.”

Kent have added to the core group with the signing of Hampshire paceman David Griffiths and have also given deals to teenage bowlers Charlie Hartley and Matt Hunn, who made a wicket-taking debut against Lancashire.

Adams said: “We’d like to see people’s games progressing. There are a lot of positives to take – as we’ve seen with young Calum Haggett this year,

“With David Griffiths and the other young players, it’s all about giving them an environment where they can express themselves and improve while doing that. Hopefully, we can do that for them here.”

One player who won’t be benefiting from Kent’s environment next year is all-rounder Matt Coles, who has signed a three-year deal at Hampshire after rejecting the offer of a new deal at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.

Adams said: “We are sorry that Colesy felt he had to leave Kent. He is a massive talent and a good bloke. We wish him all the success possible. We were sorry to see him leave but it happens and he goes with all our best wishes.”