Kent have named their side for their first County Championship game of the season against Worcestershire, starting on Sunday.

The starting XI features both new overseas signing Doug Bollinger and England’s James Tredwell, while Sam Billings is chosen ahead of Geraint Jones to keep wicket.

There is also a place in the side for Robbie Joseph, who the club announced had signed a one-year deal earlier this week, having previously left The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in 2011.

The rest of the line-up is relatively as expected, with Mitch Claydon included, and Daniel Bell-Drummond batting at three, having hit two centuries in his final two innings of pre-season.

Charlie Hartley is also included in the squad, although the 20-year-old is expected to be 12th man for the game.

Kent have also revealed their current injury list. Mark Davies is expected to be out for another five weeks with a torn right bicep, Calum Haggett is expected to return in four to six weeks following a side strain, and Alex Blake is hoping to make a return to the 2nd XI next week following AC joint disruption.

Opponents Worcestershire come into the game on the back of a draw at Hampshire in their opening encounter of the season. Their captain, Daryl Mitchell, hit an unbeaten 172 in the second innings at The Ageas Bowl, and their line-up is also expected to feature Moeen Ali, who hit 69 in that second innings and is now an England international.

The game is set to go ahead at Worcestershire’s New Road ground, despite the fact it was under 10-12 feet of water just a matter of weeks and months ago.

Kent have won only once in their last 13 visits to Worcestershire in the County Championship, with the home side winning five, and seven ending as draws.

Speaking ahead of the game, Head Coach Jimmy Adams was looking forward to what the next few months could hold:

“The pre-season has gone well and we are now all looking forward to getting into competition,” said Adams.

“There is a sense of excitement and we head off on what is a challenging season.”

 

Worcestershire squad to face Kent: D Mitchell (c), M Pardoe, M Ali, A Kervezee, T Kohler-Cadmore, R Whiteley, B Cox (wk), G Andrew, C Morris, C Russell, J Shantry, S Choudhry.

Kent squad to face Worcestershire: R Key (c), S Northeast, D Bell-Drummond, B Nash, B Harmison, D Stevens, S Billings (wk), J Tredwell, M Claydon, D Bollinger, R Joseph, C Hartley.