Kent begin their penultimate fixture against Derbyshire on Wednesday without the services of three experienced players.

Skipper Rob Key undergoes surgery on his injured wrist on Tuesday and will now miss the rest of the season with fellow batsman Martin van Jaarsveld also to miss the game with an injured groin.

Also out is spinner James Tredwell who is also set to be out for the final two games of the season with a hamstring injury.

With the trio all out, it will give Paul Farbrace the opportunity to have a look at some of the younger members of the squad.

Daniel Bell-Drummond is expected to be given the chance to open the batting alongside Joe Denly with Sam Northeast batting at three having signed a new one year deal at Canterbury.

In van Jaarsveld’s absence, Alex Blake may be given an opportunity to impress after falling our of favour in the past few months, whilst Adam Riley should be selected as the main spinner in the side.

Therefore, Kent could line up like this:

Denly, Bell-Drummond, Northeast, Stevens, Blake, Jones, Mahmood, Ball, Coles, Balcombe, Riley.

12th man: Chris Piesley