Skipper Daniel Bell-Drummond is optimistic Kent can compete in County Championship Division 1.

Kent return to the top flight of red-ball cricket next summer. Among their opponents will be former Kent head coach Matt Walker’s new-look Sussex side, big-spending Surrey and reigning champions Warwickshire.

“It means a heck of a lot,” said Bell-Drummond on Kent returning to the top level. “That’s where we want to be, playing in the top division.

“It’s testament to the hard work that has been put in over six months. There are six months to plan and get ready for it.

“There are, obviously, going to be more challenges in Division 1 so we have to get our head around that and make sure we’re ready training-wise and preparation-wise. It will be a stiff test for us.

“But there is no doubt, if we play like we did this year, we’ll go pretty well.”

It marks a remarkable turnaround for Kent, who finished bottom - 29 points adrift - in Division 2 in 2025 and failed to triumph in any of their first three red-ball 2026 fixtures. It was a run that culminated in an innings away defeat against Worcestershire in late April.

But rather than be overly-critical, head coach Adam Hollioake, instead, looked to ease the pressure in a move that proved a masterclass.

“He’s brilliant,” claimed Bell-Drummond. “He has definitely got a very caring side to him.

"Obviously, we know his history in terms of his MMA and things like that so there is a fighter there. But he has both sides to him.

“He’s very caring and will stand up for all of us when he needs to. It’s been great, playing under him. There are a lot of different ideas, as well, so we’re always on our toes and being forward-thinking.

“After that Worcestershire game, I think he could see we were training hard and working hard, it just wasn’t happening. If anything, it was the opposite.

“Some of us were trying too hard and putting too much pressure on ourselves and he said ‘Look, you’ve got a duty to let things go and back what you have done in training. You cannot control the result, you just need to control your processes.

"That’s how you are going to do well for Kent and yourself.’. That was a massive part of us, changing form and changing momentum.

"When we got that, we didn’t let it go.”

Kent’s bowling attack was led by fit-again seam bowler Matt Milnes, who took 54 red-ball wickets. Former skipper Sam Northeast - who, like Milnes was making his Canterbury comeback - showed his class with nearly 900 red-ball runs, which included two centuries.

Bell-Drummond was full of praise for how the pair had performed in their first campaigns back with the county.

“They’ve been massive,” he noted. “Matt Milnes, to take more than 50 wickets, that’s a top effort.

"He has had a tough couple of years with injuries but he showed what a class bowler he is. It’s great to have him back here.

“These wickets are really suiting him, which is something, in Division 1, we’re all hoping can continue - and he has got the skill to do that.

“Sam Northeast has been awesome, as well. He has scored a lot of runs in some tricky conditions and he’s added that experience.

“He has helped me a great deal with him being a senior head and his massive experience. They’re both great sounding boards in different ways.

"It’s great to have them back.”