Kent captain Sam Billings says they are much better than early-season form suggests as they prepare to visit Surrey

Skipper Sam Billings believes Kent are a better team than they have shown so far this season.

They moved off the foot of the County Championship Division 1 table on Sunday with a draw against Hampshire at Canterbury but have won just once in their opening five games.

Billings says his side learnt a lot from how fourth-placed Hants went about things as Kent take on champions and early leaders Surrey from today at The Oval.

The 31-year-old said: “It’s Division 1 in a nutshell. It’s ruthless and it’s relentless.

“This is a ruthless division where it’s very hard if you are in a bit of a slump, individually but also collectively, to get out of it.

“You do that by kind of binding together as a group and having some really clear game-plans.

“We learnt a lot from their bowling attack, [with] how early they go to a ring-field and a more defensive field, and just controlled the game a little bit more. At times, we’ve probably leaked runs and the game gets away from you.

“So just watching how the really good and experienced sides do it is good because it allows us to take things which can put us in good stead moving forward.

“We’re a much better side than we’re showing at the moment. It’s up to us to change it around.

“It’s going to be tough but we’ve had some decent success at The Oval, so why not?”

Surrey’s red-ball title defence has begun with three wins and two draws.

“We know they’re as good as anyone,” admitted Billings.

“Of course, they’re champions for a reason and they’ve started the season really well.

“We’re going to have to play really well but it’s a challenge that we’re looking forward to now.

“Fingers crossed that we can take the positive small steps from it into this week.”

Kent were involved in a relegation