Kent Cricket head coach Jimmy Adams has said he hopes Rob Key will stay on as the county's skipper.

By his own high standards Key had a difficult season with the bat, scoring just 561 Championship runs at an average of just 22 – the poorest return of his 17-year career - but Adams still feels the former England man has a big part to play at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.

Adams said: “He still has a tremendous amount to offer, both as a batsman and a leader. In Keysey, I see someone with thousands of runs left in him in all forms and one of the best leaders in English cricket.

“I’d like to think that he has a massive role in what we’re trying to do with the team and the club as a whole going forward.

"A large part of what we were able to do this year was on the back of having leadership stability. His experience is beyond measure.”

He added: “The next few weeks is a time for everyone to step back and reflect. I am hoping Rob still feels up for it.

"I think he is and that he’s just as excited as I am about what we’ve seen this year. I am hopeful the excitement will wet his tongue. I am hoping soon we can set that issue down and move forward.”