A galvanised Joe Denly will lead the Kent Spitfires in this year’s Royal London One-Day Cup as the county looks to end the 2022 season with a second trophy in as many years.

The mood in the camp is high ahead of today's opening fixture at Worcestershire and Kent feel they’re in a position to have a proper tilt at the 50-over contest season, after a 2021 Royal London campaign that was over almost as soon as it began.

“We’ve got a very good squad,” Denly said.

“We’ve lost a few players to the Hundred but I have to say, across all counties, so has everyone.

"I’m excited about the squad and, of course, the end goal is to get as far as we can and get that trophy. My message to the lads is quite clear - it’s the old cliche about just worrying about who’s in front of us.

"Hopefully we can get on a roll and get a few wins under our belt.”

Morale was also boosted by Kent’s dealings in the transfer market over the weekend.

The blow of learning Matt Milnes was leaving for Yorkshire was cushioned by the news that 20-year-old all-rounder Joey Evison was joining from Nottinghamshire, while captain Sam Billings and all-rounder Grant Stewart both signed long-term contract extensions.

“When you sign a quality young player like Joey, that’s a lift for everyone I think,” Denly said.

“Everyone at the club’s excited about it. I spoke to Joey the other day to welcome him to the club and he’s excited as well.

“I don’t think Notts would have wanted to let him go as he’s one of the brightest young players in the country, so to have him want to come to us and for us to be able to get him is a real positive. That’s the kind of player you want and to bring in players like Joey, and hopefully one or two more, shows the future’s looking bright.

“Sam signing a new contract and committing to the club is also massive.

"He’s a fantastic leader and he’s a very passionate Kent man.”

Billings isn’t, however, available for the Royal London One-Day Cup, which means Denly will be taking charge.

"The Whitstable Warne" is enjoying something of an individual revival in the second-half of this season, having returned from injury to make match-winning centuries against Middlesex in the T20 Blast and Warwickshire in the County Championship.

He joked being made skipper would also allow him to bowl more.

“I really enjoy the bowling part of it," he said. "It adds another strength to your game, doesn’t it?

“Especially in one-day cricket and T20 cricket, I think leg-spin is a real handy weapon to have and I’ll be captain, so I’ll be looking to bring myself on whenever I want!

"But no, look, I want to certainly score lots of runs for the team but also chip in with a few wickets and do a job with the ball, that’s for sure.”

Denly was rested for Sunday’s win at Suffolk, but has made a full recovery from the hamstring injury he suffered in the field at Essex on the second day of the season.

Kent squad: Joe Denly (captain), Harry Podmore, Ben Compton, Darren Stevens, Grant Stewart, Alex Blake, James Logan, Tawanda Muyeye, Nathan Gilchrist, Jas Singh, Ollie Robinson, Matt Henry, George Linde, Joey Evison, Matt Quinn, Hamid Qadri, Navdeep Saini.

Tickets are now on sale for all Kent’s Royal London Cup matches, via tickets.kentcricket.co.uk with £5 off when purchased in advance.