Kent director of cricket Paul Downton says there is a big summer ahead at county and international level with Ashes series around the corner

Kent's Paul Downton predicts there is a huge summer of cricket ahead with a home Ashes series around the corner.

A new attacking “Bazball” style adopted by England has taken the world by storm, ahead of Australia’s visit with the first Test set to start at Edgbaston in June.

Kent’s Zak Crawley has kept his opening spot for England in recent years, despite largely disappointing form, while his county captain Sam Billings made his Ashes debut in Hobart at the start of last year.

Director of cricket Downton said: “People can’t wait for the Ashes, can they?

“I think it’s something everybody is looking forward to, with the way England are playing their cricket.

“From a county point of view, there’s some very good players playing county cricket.

“They’ll want to showcase themselves and get towards the international set-up too.”

The 2023 season looks set to be the first in 20 years where legendary all-rounder Darren Stevens will not be seen competitively playing in a Kent shirt.

Downton concedes they will miss the popular 46-year-old’s presence but hopes other players will be able to step up in his absence.

“Obviously we’ll miss Darren,” he said.

“It’s the first season that he’s not been around for a long time but I think that just creates a great opportunity for the rest of our bowling attack to really step up. I’m really looking forward to seeing that.

“You can see the rapid rise of Nathan Gilchrist, who’s only 22.

“He was our leading wicket-taker last year and got on a Lions tour so he’s, obviously, well-thought of amongst everybody.

"We’re making some progress.”

While Stevens has moved on, another experienced long-serving player, 37-year-old batting all-rounder Joe Denly, has extended his Kent contract until the end of the