Andrew Symonds - a proven match-winner

And now Inverarity is handing on the reins to Brayshaw, who has a strong pedigree in coaching after establishing Western Australia's Cricket Academy before moving into media work.

"My association with Kent officially began on 10 January when a group of players arrived in Perth and I had six or seven weeks with them out in Australia," explains Brayshaw.

Young seamers Ben Trott, Jamie Hewitt, Amjad Khan and David Masters came under the expert eye of Dennis Lillee - widely regarded as the supreme fast-bowling coach in the modern age.

And they were joined by all-rounder James Hockley and James Golding.

Batsman Ed Smith also joined the group for a bit - his family are close friends of Inverarity's.

Meanwhile, three other players in what is now a squad oozing strength in depth, received separate Australian tuition.

James Tredwell, aged 19, and stand-in wicket-keeper Geraint Jones were in Brisbane, while Robert Key was in Adelaide with the Academy.

Brayshaw says: "All these guys have had the sun on their backs, whereas those who have stayed here are not fully in the programme until 15 March.

Maximum progress

"But the seven who I saw in Perth had a very, very good opportunity to take their game to the next level and they've maximized that opportunity.

"I spoke to (Yorkshire coach) Wayne Clark - who's a great mate of mine - and we both think there should be an earlier start to pre-season training. That's on an agenda for discussion"

Concrete goals for the 2002 season are not on the agenda, however.

"The goal I am trying to set for everyone involved in the outfit is to continue to improve. If you do that then trophies will come too.

Praise for Key

"It's unreasonable to say: 'We are going to win both, or three or four trophies.' "

Marsh has reported favourably on Key, who missed the pre-season fortnight in South Africa when it was felt he could do with recharging his batteries after the Academy rigours.

"There's not much point for him to loll around a pool," says Brayshaw.

David Fulton captains the Championship side

"Not only did Robert have a really good season with Kent all the reports from Rod indicate that he's done very well with the Academy.

"Rod says his team leadership qualities have also come through. And I know Rod very well - he wouldn't give an insincere report on someone."

But Key wasn't allowed to switch off altogether. He was due to get a few nets with Mark Ealham and some of the fringe players on the staff.

Kent's overseas player is Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, and Brayshaw says he should get a full season out of him.

He is also rather excited about what his countryman could potentially produce for the county.

"Andrew brings to the table match-winning skills because he can turn a game around.

"I don't know him particularly well yet but I hear from people in Australia that he's a wonderful team man, prepared to put in honest toil and work hard.

"They are the qualities I like in cricketers."