Skipper Rob Key takes blame for Kent's relegation

Key's side have been relegated for the second time.

Kent captain Rob Key has taken responsibility for his side's relegation from the top division of the County Championship.

Despite winning their final game of the season against Yorkshire by four wickets, Kent's fate was sealed when rivals Warwickshire beat Hampshire.

"I'm disappointed with myself more than anything," Key told BBC Radio Kent.

"I look at myself first and I've had a bad year. That's one of the reasons we're in the position we're in."

"I've just personally forgotten how to bat for about half a year which doesn't help," said Key.

"I can't really speak for everyone - it's just been really tough without the roller and stuff like that.

"We got in a bit of a rut and sometimes ruts are hard to come out of and unfortunately not enough of us came out of it."

I don't think it's a case where people are looking to jump ship - they just want to know where the club's going

Rob Key

Kent were only promoted to the first division a year ago and in hindsight Key does not think the squad was strong enough to cope.

"We haven't batted well enough that's for sure.

"I always believe captaining is a very easy job if you've got four fast seamers and a really good spinner.

"A lot of the time we didn't even have James Tredwell - he was away with the Lions and so you miss out on players like that.

"We haven't got the biggest staff so if you lose a few players to various call-ups or injuries then it really costs us."

The Kent skipper has joined all-rounder Darren Stevens in committing his future to the county next season, but he admits other senior players may need reassurances about the club's future.

"It's a pretty tough situation at the minute and I think people just want to know where we're going.

"Hopefully we'll find out in the near future exactly what we've got to work with.

"I don't think it's a case where people are looking to jump ship - they just want to know where the club's going and what's going to be in store for the next couple of years.

"I don't want to leave Kent and see my legacy be a relegated side that's struggling and not going very well.

"If they want me, I'm committed to making sure Kent are a force in the future.

"I don't like giving up on anything really and hopefully we can make sure we're not going to be a poor side for the years to come."