Kent Cricket’s preparation for the 2012 season will include a trip to the Caribbean and three home pre-season fixtures.

Details of the programme were released today, and they include the County team flying to the Caribbean Island of Antigua on the 7th March for a 10 day camp.

Commenting on the preparation trip, captain Rob Key emphasised the early start to the playing season.

“With our first Championship match very early in April, against Yorkshire at Headingly, we needed to guarantee that we could get uninterrupted pre-season training, on good wickets.

“Sadly this can’t be taken for granted in England and amongst the various options available to us, Antigua ticked the most boxes.”

The trip will involve fourteen players and four support staff.  Missing will be some of the younger members of the squad, who are committed to University studies and England Under 19 duties, and Geraint Jones, who will be representing Papua New Guinea at the ICC World T20 Qualification tournament.

The Club noted the positive support from the Antiguan Tourist Board and Prestige Caribbean Tours in making the trip financially viable, in opting for the Caribbean location.

“We have received wonderful support from the Antiguan Tourist people in putting the pre-season programme together” said CEO Jamie Clifford, “this has included them covering the cost of a reconnaissance trip by a player and staff member before committing to the location.”

It is believed that physio, Nimmo Reid and bowler Simon Cook visited Antigua shortly before Christmas to assess the facilities with new Head Coach Jimmy Adams agreeing that the destination would be suitable for his new side.

Soon after their return, on March 17th, the team will move into match mode with three pre-season fixtures programmed for late March.

Kent play Middlesex in a one day match at Beckenham on Friday 23rd March, Glamorgan in a second one day match this time at St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury four days later, 27th March.

The squad then complete the match preparation with a two day fixture, again against Glamorgan, at Canterbury, on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th March.