All-rounder Matt Coles says the Kent team he has returned to is better prepared for success than the one he left behind.

The 24-year-old is back at his home county this season following an 18-month stint at Hampshire but claims the strength of Jimmy Adams’ squad has improved dramatically since his departure, with the development of the likes of Sam Billings, Daniel Bell-Drummond and Adam Riley particularly striking.

Coles said: “When I left you were either at one end of the spectrum or the other in regards to ages and how much people have played.

“Now people have played a few more games, got more experience and they have come on leaps and bounds. It is good to see.”

Billings and Riley joined Coles on the list of Kent players earning England Lions honours this winter and Coles said: “Hopefully, they can continue to progress.

“They are going to be a massive part of our success here. Hopefully, Billings, in particular, doesn’t get taken away too much this summer.

“I genuinely believe we’re going to do well this year. We stood toe-to-toe with Hampshire in the warm-up game and they won the title last year and got promoted.

“We’re massively in with a shout and after the 50-over stuff last year, there’s no reason why that can’t happen again.

“In four-day, we are looking in good stead, batting and bowling well. The batters are making it tough to get wickets, even in the nets.”

While Coles insisted he does not regret quitting Kent, he said he is glad to be “back home” after a useful learning curve for him – even if he has not been allowed to reclaim his old spot in the dressing room.

He said: “I’ve learned from the experience. I always say I don’t ever regret things I’ve done.

“If you regret things, you’re not going to move forward. Things happen in life. It’s just who you are and people have to try and accept who you are.

“Being away last year was a bit of an eye-opener – you realise how tough it can be being away from home and the experience of not really having a friend network, other than cricketers.

“You’re in a little bubble of cricketers and trying to find that little extra something away from cricket as a release, to get away from it, is quite tough. You’re always perceived as that cricketer, rather than just a normal guy.

“That’s the toughest thing about being away, having to find that network of people with who you can do things away from cricket, where eyes aren’t always judging.”

However, Coles insisted: “That’s not the reason I’m coming back, the reason I’m coming back is I love Kent cricket – it’s been with me since the age of 10. Hopefully, I’ll be here for a long time to come and be successful with it.

“I wasn’t allowed my old spot back (in the dressing room) but then saying that, the old spot didn’t work too well last time so it might be worth me being in a new place. I’m not really superstitious, just happy to be here.”

Coles also revealed he was hoping to contribute to the success – although he’d be just as happy to play a supporting role if needed.

He said: “I have a lot of ambitions in regards to how I’m going to do. I want to do well and play as much as I can, do as much as I can for the team, rather than being too selfish.

“If the wickets are falling at the other end, I’ll be over the moon – as long as the team gets success that’s the main thing.

“That said, you aim for 50 wickets every year as a seamer, if you can stay fit, at an average of under 30 and all you can do is aim to better your average with the bat.”