Daniel Bell-Drummond believes Kent’s squad can find another level to their game this summer.

Opener Bell-Drummond will captain Kent in one-day cricket in the absence of skipper Sam Billings, who is playing in the Indian Premier League, while Jack Leaning will take charge of the County Championship side - but misses their opening game at Essex, which started yesterday, through a hamstring injury.

In 2022, Kent will be looking to build on last year’s success which saw them win the T20 Blast and County Championship Division 3.

But the 28-year-old feels there is even more to come from the current crop, explaining: “I think we have been really consistent over the last few years, probably winning the most games going back over the last three or four years (in the T20 Blast), but we had not been able to get over that quarter-final hurdle.

“Once we were able to do that, I think everyone in the team knew we could do it again. Obviously it’s going to spur us on to keep improving.

“I know there is so much squad depth as well. We have so many different options. We always have a Plan B in place.

“Definitely teams will be after us and studying us even more now. But I really think we have got another step to go.

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“Obviously we can’t do better than winning it! But I genuinely think we can keep improving as a team. Obviously on the day, things happen.

“Other teams may be better on the day, but I genuinely think, looking inwards, we have another step forward to go.”

Bell-Drummond had captained Kent at the start of their successful T20 Blast campaign in 2021 prior to Billings’ return, and is looking forward to doing so again, while he will also lead the side in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he enthused.

“Obviously, we had a great year last year.

“We want to carry that on and try and push on and win more competitions and win more trophies.

“We have a very talented bunch of guys so it will be an honour to captain them when that time comes, and I hope the guys are looking forward to defending their crown.”

Academy graduate Bell-Drummond is also excited about the prospect of playing in front of large crowds once more after two Covid-impacted seasons.

He commented: “It will be absolutely brilliant.

“We really missed it during Covid times and even the limited crowds we had here at the back-end of last season was amazing. We need the home support.

“I know the fans are looking forward to coming back as well.

"We can’t wait to be having 5,000-6,000 in here again. We definitely noticed it during the Covid year in 2020.

“It had to be done, and we were grateful to be playing, but we really missed the fans and noticed it when they came back in. It’s going to be a good experience.

“Obviously, there was a full crowd at finals day last year (at Edgbaston) but to have it here at Canterbury is going to be brilliant for the guys.”

But before Bell-Drummond leads the side, Kent will look to get off to a good start on their return to Division 1 of the County Championships.

Explaining the appointment of 28-year-old Leaning in the absence of Billings, director of cricket Paul Downton said: “He came down from Yorkshire and has fitted seamlessly into this group.

“He has really impressed in all formats - both white-ball and red-ball. With Sam being away a lot, we know that’s (going to be) the case and he has been very strong on developing a leadership group, within the group.

“Jack, having come into a new environment, was a Championship winner at Yorkshire and I think he brings something quite special.

“He was pretty much the obvious candidate from the red-ball point of view."

But with Leaning missing their season opener, wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson has led the side.