Matt Walker expects the Kent squad to show some fight when they return to Championship action after their dismal defeat at Glamorgan this week.

Kent suffered defeat by an innings and 11 runs at Cardiff and sit third-bottom of Division 2. Assistant coach Walker claimed a hectic schedule of two days off in 14 – one of them used for travel from Kent to Wales – had contributed to the capitulation.

He said: “I don’t want to use it as an excuse, more of a reason why the boys are flagging a bit. It’s been a crazy schedule, an unprecedented one and an unacceptable one.
“We haven’t been at our best this week. It’s been a tough schedule and there won’t be much chance to rest.

“We’ll have a day off on Thursday, then another T20 against Sussex on Friday, a bit of training Saturday, then straight into another Championship game against Derbyshire on Sunday. It’s a tough finish to this little patch but we need to get a win.”

After five games without a win in LV= County Championship Division 2, Kent are one place and four points above second-bottom Derbyshire.

Walker added: “Derby are another side who have probably not played their best cricket either this season.

“It’s important to try and get another win. It’s a big four days.
“Hopefully, the side will fight back because we need to play quite a bit better than we have done this week.

“The lads know that. They’ll be disappointed with how we’ve gone. Nobody looks out of nick, our problem is that inability to make big scores that win you games. We’ve got to get
better. We want to get back to winning. You’re judged by results and everyone wants to see wins.”

Kent hope Doug Bollinger (shoulder) will be fit to play against Sussex on Friday (7pm) and on Sunday (11am).