Kent’s red-ball captain Daniel Bell-Drummond is optimistic he will play some cricket overseas this winter.

Batsman Bell-Drummond missed the end of Kent’s season through injury and only featured twice following Spitfires’ dramatic progression from the Vitality T20 Blast South group stage in July.

While the 32-year-old, who has previously played franchise cricket in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, was ruled out of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign with a knee problem, an elbow injury was his greatest concern by the conclusion of the English summer.

Bell-Drummond is confident he will be fit and raring to go for 2026, a season he has also been awarded a testimonial year for by the county.

He said: “I will get fit and then, whenever my arm is better, I’ll try and get a bit of cricket abroad.

“That will be purely dependent on how my rehab goes and how my elbow is feeling. I will try to get outdoors at some point.

“Then, I’ll be back in early February with my launch for my testimonial kicking off on February 12. I’m hoping to get some cricket in before that - whether that’s indoors or abroad.”

The 2026 campaign - Bell-Drummond’s 15th at senior level with Kent - will see him work alongside new batting coach Jaahid Ali.

Pakistan-born Ali, 30, will be supported by 39-year-old Joe Denly, who will combine his playing role with a batting consultant position after he penned a one-year contract extension.

There is a similar make-up in the bowling department, with legendary former all-rounder Darren Stevens providing his assistance to new bowling coach Sam Faulkner.

“They all bring their different strengths,” admitted Bell-Drummond. “Darren’s experience in the game goes without saying. He knows Kent extremely well.

“The guys have been enjoying working with him so it’s great to have him with us on a permanent basis.

“He will provide a lot of help for the bowlers and also the batters, being a brilliant all-rounder. He's great to have on board.

“Jaahid Ali, I’ve been really impressed with him and some of the work he has been doing. I know the guys are looking forward to having him on board.

“He’s a very good coach, Jaahid, even though he’s quite young. He has had a good playing career so he brings that experience.

“Sam Faulkner has come up through the Pathway coaching-wise and should also add some great expertise with what we have got coming through. It’s a nice blend.

“They will, no doubt, be working hard this winter with us.”

Denly’s new role might mean he has one eye on the future - but Bell-Drummond insists the former England international still has plenty to offer on the field.

He remains available across all three formats, albeit will primarily be focused on the Vitality T20 Blast.

“Joe’s a Kent legend,” said Bell-Drummond. “He has still got so much cricket left in the tank. He keeps himself very fit and he’s a model professional.

“We look forward to seeing him continue to perform. I know it’s the back-end of his career but he’s hitting the ball better than ever.

“He showed that in the T20 stuff this year. I’m really happy to see him continue his career.

“Hopefully, he can keep winning games for Kent.”