KENT are set to give a first-class debut to their sole winter recruit David Stiff when the 2004 Frizzell County Championship season begins tomorrow.

Captain David Fulton beat 11 other counties to land the 19-year-old England A strike bowler, who goes straight into Kent's starting X1 for their opening match against newly promoted Gloucestershire in Bristol.

The strapping pace bowler from Heckmondwike turned down the offer of a new deal at Headingley in order to join Kent and, when questioned about his worst moments in cricket, went as far as to say: "My last two years at Yorkshire!"

Stiff showed his mettle in pre-season friendlies by dismissing the likes of Ali Brown, Adam Hollioake and John Crawley and, according to Fulton, has earned this early opportunity.

Fulton said: "He's still a bit raw, in fact he reminds me of a young Steve Harmison, but he bowled well against Northampton the other day and has showed enough to merit his chance.

"He still has work to do because he still floats the odd one out wide inviting the cut, but if he scales the same heights as Harmison then he won't go far wrong."

Fulton stressed: "With Amjad Khan, Simon Cusden, Matt Dennington and Rob Joseph the future of Kent pace bowling is looking quite handy."

The match will also mark a first-class debut for understudy wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien.

The 22-year-old Dubliner played grade cricket for North Sydney Cricket Club this winter and will stand in for Geraint Jones, who is making his England debut in the fourth and final Test against the West Indies in Antigua.

Kent go into the game without either of their first pick overseas professionals, Aussie Andrew Symonds and Pakistan paceman Mohammad Sami, and are no nearer knowing when either man will be joining them.

Rumours of a Sami back injury were scotched by his inclusion in Pakistan's side for the third and deciding Test against India in Rawalpindi, while Symonds' arrival hinges on his inclusion in Australia's Test team to make the proposed trip to Zimbabwe.

In a bid to clarify the situation, Fulton added: "There's still no concrete news back from Australia and I'm not expecting a decision for another week yet.

"We weren't expecting to see 'Symo' until May anyway because he gets married soon, but if he does get selected we have a couple of other world-class players up our sleeve and 'plan B' will swing into action.

"As for Sami, the reports on him have been positive and we're expecting him over here for our first home game against Worcestershire (starting on April 21)."

Kent: Fulton (capt), Key, Smith, Walker, Carberry, Tredwell, O'Brien (wk), Khan, Saggers, Stiff, Sheriyar.