by Andrew Gidley

Kent's director of cricket Graham Ford is expected back in the country this weekend after finally being granted his long-awaited visa.

Ford (pictured) looks set to arrive in the early hours of Sunday morning, with the squad due to fly to Edinburgh later in the day for the Friends Provident Trophy group match against Scottish Saltires on Monday. They then travel by coach to Birmingham for the final group match against Warwickshire Bears on Wednesday

Chief executive Paul Millman said: "Everyone at the club is delighted that Graham is at last on his way back to Kent. The new points based system, which was introduced by the UK Border Agency this year, has led to long delays in the issuing of visas in many different walks of life.

"The delay in Graham’s arrival has obviously been frustrating, andwe are looking forward to his return."