Captain James Tredwell says despite being bottom and without a win, Kent’s return to LV= County Championship, Division 2 action at Gloucestershire on Wednesday is a respite from the stresses of the t20 campaign.

Kent have drawn six and lost two of their eight four-day games so far while they have lost all five Friends Life t20 matches – including three in four days culminating in a 62-run loss at Essex on Monday night.

Tredwell said: “It’d be nice to have a bit of preparation time before, five games of t20 on the bounce and then one day before back-to-back championship games is tough for the lads.

“It’s a different form, though. We go into championship cricket and look to pick that area of our game up. We’ve played some reasonable four-day cricket in recent weeks and been close (to the first win) on a couple of occasions.”

Vernon Philander makes his championship debut for Kent with hopes high he can inspire the side to victory and Tredwell added: “It’s great to have him around. He’ll make a difference.”

Brendan Nash, Daniel Bell-Drummond Calum Haggett, Ben Harmison and Charlie Shreck all returned to the side while Mark Davies, Mitch Claydon and Adam Riley missed out.