If nothing else, Kent’s pragmatic coaching co-ordinator Simon Willis is a stickler for detail.

The former Kent wicketkeeper proved that in becoming one of the youngest Level 4 qualified coaches in the land but this winter, Willis’s homework has centred on squad strengthening.

Armed with the knowledge that salary budgets would remain frozen, Willis was tasked with bringing two international-class bowlers or all-rounders to St Lawrence – a rabbit he may yet pull out of the hat.

He said: "We were down to the bare bones at times last year, so this season we not only needed to strengthen but we wanted to do so in a way that would keep the existing players on their toes.

"By adding Azhar Mahmood and hopefully Justin Kemp, I think we will have achieved that."

Although Kent won their first domestic knockout trophy in 35 years last summer, Willis and Kent’s cricket committee were determined to improve the squad and their first close-season move was to persuade Mahmood to leave Surrey and the bright lights of The Oval, for the more rural surrounds of Canterbury.

Yet, according to Willis, Mahmood and fellow close-season recruit, ex-South Africa all-rounder Justin Kemp, needed little or no arm-twisting.

Willis said: "I admit, we looked at other options but Azhar is a very skilful cricketer, particularly in the one-day arena.

"He can hit the ball out of the park and reverse swing it and bowls yorkers at will, so by bringing in his qualities we knew we would be raising the bar for the side overall.

"We’ve always had a good relationship and a close rapport with Azhar, he's usually performed well against us and, with Yasir Aarafat and Amjad Khan already here, we hope he’ll soon settle in.

"And yes, it’s true to say, he didn't need too much convincing. He’s already been an outstanding performer in the ICL this winter and I’m hopeful he can bring that confidence into our early season games.

"As for Justin, we've known for some time how strongly he’s wanted to play for Kent again and we all hope the ECB appeal will go our way and allow him to re-join us."

Yet with a customary note of pre-season caution, Willis wisely warns Kent’s supporters not to get too carried away before a ball has been bowled in anger.

He added: "On paper we have some high quality individuals. On paper we have good Test experience scattered throughout the side, on paper it all looks encouraging but, as the cliché goes, trophies aren’t won on paper. We know from our experiences that all it needs is a couple of international call-ups or an injury here and there and all of a sudden things could all look very different.

"We need our players to stay fit and we need an improvement on the luck we suffered last year. Then, you just never know where we might end up in the championship table come September.

"Some of that is out of our control, so I prefer to concentrate on what we can command. To make sure the players keep improving, that we don’t rest on our laurels and to keep moving forward as a team."