Kent have named a 12-man squad to play Essex in the LV= County Championship opener at The Essex County Ground in Chelmsford, starting on Sunday.

Fabian Cowdrey is included in the side and is expected to bat at number five with Brendan Nash missing through injury.

Meanwhile, Ivan Thomas and Charlie Hartley seem set to fight it out for the final berth in the side with both Joe Denly and Matt Coles making their much anticipated Championship returns for Kent.

Spinner Adam Riley is deemed fit enough to play despite only bowling four overs in the game against Loughborough MCCU.

Head coach Jimmy Adams is looking forward to the game and wants his side to get off to a flyer:

“Getting a good start is important in the LV= County Championship and we have two tough trips to Essex and Lancashire to start which will be a good test for the lads as they start among the favourites for promotion.

“With Joe and Matt’s return, we believe we have strengthened the side and the younger lads around the squad will be a year older and wiser.

“The lads are raring to go and Sunday can’t come soon enough. We’ve had some good time in the middle against Hampshire and Loughborough so the boys are ready.”

Squad: 4 Robert Key (c), 6 Joe Denly, 23 Daniel Bell-Drummond, 17 Sam Northeast, 30 Fabian Cowdrey, 3 Darren Stevens, 20 Sam Billings (w), 26 Matt Coles, 8 Mitch Claydon, 33 Adam Riley, 5 Ivan Thomas, 22 Charlie Hartley.

Essex will be missing a number of players as they launch their 2015 season at The Essex County Ground.

Alastair Cook is leading England in the Test series in the West Indies; Ravi Bopara and Ryan ten Doeschate are playing in the IPL, whilst Matt Salisbury and Reece Topley are still on their way back from injury.

However, overseas player Jesse Ryder has returned from New Zealand and is available for Sunday’s match.

Essex squad: Nick Browne, Tom Westley, Jaik Mickleburgh, Dan Lawrence, Jesse Ryder, James Foster (C/W), Greg Smith, Mark Pettini, Graham Napier, David Masters, Jamie Porter, Monty Panesar, Tom Moore.