Experienced Kent batter Joe Denly believes there is a real sense of excitement in and around the squad.

Denly thinks there is a “really good mix” in Matt Walker’s squad, with himself and veteran all-rounder Darren Stevens playing alongside a crop of exciting young players.

In the absence of captain Sam Billings, who is playing in the Indian Premier League and will miss the start of the English season, Kent’s County Championship side will be led by Jack Leaning before Daniel Bell-Drummond takes charge as the Spitfires start their T20 Blast defence.

Commenting on the make-up of the squad, 36-year-old Denly said: “It’s a really good mix, actually.

"There is myself and Darren Stevens that bring the average age up a little bit!

"But there is a really good young crop of players coming through.

“There is a real excitement - not just around the dressing room - but in and around the club and the supporters are quite excited about this year and the years to come.

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“Hopefully a few of these younger guys can really kick on and we can achieve something special.”

Kent are back in Division 1 of the County Championship for the first time in three years having won Division 3 last year - just days after they had claimed the T20 Blast crown.

Denly, who has recovered from a close-season elbow injury, admitted: “(We are) back where we belong, I think.

"We have been playing some good cricket over the last few years. We won the Division 3 title last year, which is a long way from where we want to be.

“We want to be in Division 1, competing for that title there, so we are excited about that.”

Kent will start their County Championship campaign away to Essex this Thursday before taking on Lancashire at The Spitfire Ground the following week.

Canterbury-born Denly was wary about looking too far ahead, though, saying: “Every pre-season, you can tend to look a bit too far ahead and think about what you want to achieve at the end of the season.

“But I think it’s about starting the season off well and having a real focus on this first game especially, then taking each game as it comes as they say.

"We are looking forward to that.”

Denly scored 68 not out in Kent’s first pre-season friendly against Warwickshire last month before he retired, while Ben Compton and Bell-Drummond also added half-centuries in that draw.

He said: "It was nice to spend some time out there actually.

“It’s been a long winter of rehab for me with an elbow injury. So it was nice to get out there and get some time in the middle.”

Denly, who committed to stay with his home county until until the end of the 2023 county season last year, will also look to be involved when Kent Spitfires start their T20 Blast defence against Somerset in May.

He added: “We were definitely the best team in that format last year and I think we have only added to our squad.

“We are looking to defend that, without a doubt, and excited about the T20 kicking off.”