At a county where the award of a benefit season usually heralds the end of a player’s career, Kent’s 2008 beneficiary Matthew Walker is happy to announce he is keen to buck the trend.

The stylish and hugely popular left-handed batsman was named player-of-the-season in 2006 and followed that up with another consistent display in 2007, when he averaged 40 from 12 championship appearances and more than pulled his weight in helping Spitfires’ win the Twenty20 Cup.

Although the distractions of running his benefit have so far proved enjoyable, he remains aware that his thoughts must now turn to cricket and a successful summer if he is to extend his career into 2009.

During a break in Kent’s pre-season fixture with Nottinghamshire, Walker said: "This pre-season reminds me of the start of my career to be honest, because I’ve felt a real sense of being released, being allowed out to enjoy the game I love.

"I’ve spent most of the winter stuck in the office talking for hours on the phone trying to sort benefit issues but now it feels lovely to get out into the nets and spend time with the lads again.

"There’s a great optimism about the place and I’ve already made the point that the benefit is secondary, what’s most important is me playing well this summer and scoring runs."

Walker added: "When I’ve said to people it’s my benefit year, some seem to assume I’m about to pack the game in. There has been that trend at Kent but I feel that need not be the case for me. I’m only 34 and I’d like to think I’ve got at least another three seasons left in me yet.

"I feel I’m getting better and better, if I can stay injury free, I see no reason why I can’t go on because inside I feel 21. Last year was a bit fragmented by injury and the weather but I’m feeling really good in pre-season and am looking forward to pushing on from here once the action starts for real."