Some of Kent’s squad to prepare for the start of 2024 pre-season programme with training camp in Mumbai, India

Some of Kent’s squad are set to train in India ahead of the start of the 2024 season.

While the bulk of the first team will be playing cricket overseas before they join up for pre-season training from Monday, March 11, a small group of the county’s remaining players will head to Mumbai at the end of February.

Bowler Nathan Gilchrist is expected to be among those involved.

“It’s sort of grown,” explained Kent head coach Matt Walker of the India trip.

“It started as an opportunity to try and get a couple of lads out there - as the Academy have done in the past - to have a 10-day spin camp down in Mumbai, where we can really focus on improving a couple of guys in that department.

“Word got around, peoples’ ears pricked up and they enquired about it, which is great.

“It started out being only two or three - but, now, six or seven of the lads will go out there.

Kent’s faith in Finch

“What you get is a real intensive period of cricket where you can bat for hours. A couple of bowlers are going, as well, and you make it what you want.

“There’s net bowlers queuing up to bowl at you and coaches out there to help out.

“It’s a great opportunity, especially for those that haven’t been away this winter, to get outside, get a bit of grass cricket before pre-season starts and get a bit of sun. It gets you out of the indoor school and builds up that work before we get outside in Canterbury.

“Unfortunately, we cannot afford a full-scale pre-season trip this year. It’s the next best thing, really, trying to give these guys the opportunity to go out and play somewhere around the world before pre-season starts.

“Weather-wise, you don’t know what you will get when pre-season starts but, with the volume they will get from that trip,