Kent have re-appointed Rob Key as captain for next season and re-signed their former spinner Rob Ferley.

Key led Kent to two one-day finals last season and their chairman of cricket Graham Johnson was delighted with the decision.

Mr Johnson said: "His experience of leading teams has been recognised by his county peer group and he is currently in India with the England Performance Squad.

"He continues to demonstrate fine leadership qualities in all forms of cricket and I know he is determined to achieve the success which so narrowly eluded the Kent team last summer.

"His performances as captain and as a batsman warrant recognition at international level where he has had success in the past."

Ferley, a left-arm spinner, returns to St Lawrence having signed a two-year contract.

The 26-year-old came through the ranks at Kent but found first team opportunities limited by the form of James Tredwell and Min Patel.

He moved to Notts two years ago and, although playing in their one-day side, struggled to displace Graeme Swann and Samit Patel in the County Championship team.

The former England under-19 player declined the offer of a new contract at Trent Bridge last month and Mr Johnson was delighted he had opted to move back to St Lawrence.

"The playing programme in 2009 and 2010 is in transition and spinners have a key part to play," he said.

"Rob is hungry to continue the impact he has had in long and short forms of one-day cricket and to make the breakthrough in four-day cricket.”