Kent have announced a new look coaching support staff team for the 2014 season, including the club’s former batsman Matt Walker.

Walker spent the majority of his nineteen year playing career with Kent, and is known for still holding the record for the highest individual score at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence – his 275 not out against Somerset in 1996. He joins the club as assistant coach, having held the same role at Essex County Cricket Club for the past three seasons.

Along with Walker, there are three further new names in Kent’s backroom setup.

Former 2nd team physio Dan George has now taken over the reins for the first team, coming in the place of long-standing physio Nimmo Reid, who will now be overseeing all club player science at medicine matters, alongside running St Lawrence Clinic.

Jon Fortescue has been named as the new strength and conditioning coach, leaving the role of Head of Academy Sports Science at Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club. Jon has also held the role of Head of Strength and Conditioning at Southampton Football Club, as well as working with Surrey, Warwickshire and Hampshire in a range of S+C roles.

Michael Najdan will be joining the backroom team as analyst, having previously worked for Opta Sportsdata; a role in which he had had responsibility for both county and international cricket analysis. His CV also includes work with Cricket Australia, ESPN and Star Sports.

Speaking about the additions to the backroom team, Head Coach Jimmy Adams said: “I am really pleased with the team of support staff that we have assembled. They are all extremely experienced within their fields and will, I am sure, do much to help get the best from all our players as we continue our pursuit for team success.”

40-year-old Walker commented: “I am delighted to be returning to my roots.  I cannot wait to get back to Kent and get started in helping the Club deliver some on field success.

“I would like to thank everyone at Essex for the support they have given me and I wish them well for the future.  A return to my home Club is something I hoped for and I aim to help a talented group of players deliver what they are capable of.”

The new coaching team will take up their posts during February, with the squad reporting back for pre-season in March.