Kent's Key would relish another opportunity in the national side

Kent captain Rob Key says the only consolation for being dropped from the England Lions squad is that his county team-mate Joe Denly has been included.

The former Lions skipper was omitted from the team that will face Australia at Worcester in July, but young opener Denly keeps his place.

"It's obviously disappointing," Key, 30, told BBC Radio Kent.

"I'm pleased that Joe Denly's in there. For me he's been playing brilliantly over the last few weeks.

"Hopefully he'll go really well. I'm sure he will.

"Now I just want to go back and score some runs. I've been in and out the side and it's nice to just focus on Kent now."

Key added: "Part of me's pleased I'm not strapping on chest pads to face Mitchell Johnson and the Aussie quick bowlers at Worcester, so I wish him all the best."

After a disappointing start to the season, Key scored his first half century of the season on Monday to help Kent beat Hampshire by eight runs in the Twenty20 Cup.

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