Simon Cook has revealed a message he’s received from England managing director and former team-mate Rob Key upon being named Kent’s new director of cricket.

Key, 44, praised the appointment of Cook on social media as he prepares to replace retiring Kent director of cricket Paul Downton officially from the start of October.

Cook and Key have since spoken, too.

“I spoke to him the other day,” Oxford-born Cook confirmed. “He just said ‘Well done’ and ‘Do it in your own way.’

“It’s absolutely nice to see that ex-colleagues and friends are looking on.

“I’ve had lots of good messages of support.”

Former Kent captain Key was a surprise appointment as England managing director last April.

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But he appointed New Zealander Brendon McCullum as the coach of the Test team, who instigated a more attacking “Bazball” form of play which has taken the cricketing world by storm, with all-rounder Ben Stokes as skipper.

Asked if he would be drawing inspiration from what Key has done with England, 46-year-old Cook replied: “Yeah, absolutely.

“I think the key is that he’s doing that in his way. That’s exactly what he said to me - make sure you do it your way, don’t try and compromise.

“That’s the same message we give to the players. You want to succeed in your way because, if you don’t [go your own way], then you’ll always kind of be kicking yourself.

“They’re probably some wise words that I’ll keep close to my heart when making decisions.”

It’s now almost 20 years since Cook joined Kent as a bowler - and played alongside Key and head coach Matt Walker.

While a future career in coaching for Cook, who also has been head coach of Hong Kong, was on the radar, a director of cricket position is not something he would have been considering back then.

He said: “That wasn’t necessarily on the radar, no!

“Coaching-wise, I always knew I was going to try and go down the coaching route - whether that was with Kent or, as it turned out, going with Hong Kong.

“My experience in Hong Kong was vital. It shaped me, not only as a coach, but also, preparing me a little bit for this role - dealing with player contracts, putting support staff together and dealing with overseas trips and dealing with the ICC.

“They’re all very similar things, compared to what you’d get with a director of cricket role.”

Cook played for Kent from 2005 until 2012 while Key retired in 2016.