Adam Riley is confident he can improve upon his breakthrough season at Kent and is plotting a way to increase his role at the club.

The 23-year-old spinner made a stunning breakthrough into the LV= County Championship, Division 2 first team a year ago, going on to take 48 wickets at an average of 32 in four-day cricket and secure his place to such an extent that James Tredwell was sent out on loan.

The winter saw Riley called to Sri Lanka for an England Performance Programme training camp before two spells in South Africa with the England Lions and an MCC call to
Abu Dhabi for the 2015 season curtain-raiser.

Riley admitted: “Abu Dhabi was the cherry on top of the cake and a good starter for pre-season for me.

“I was lucky enough to play with Alastair Cook. I didn’t get to bowl to him too much in the nets but I did get to pick his brains about spin bowling which was interesting.

“Jonathan Trott and Gary Ballance were on the Lions tour and are two batters where you have to drag yourself up to their level.

“It’s interesting trying to pick their brains and bowl against them, seeing how they play you.

“Nick Compton captained the MCC and had some nice things to say about me. It’s good that I’ve impressed some people, hopefully if I keep doing what I’m doing, I’ll impress a few more.

“When you go to any representational groups, it’s about trying to impress players by doing what you’re doing in your own way.”

Riley says the work he has done on his game this winter will stand him in good stead when the season begins at Essex on Sunday.

He said: “I go into this season more confident than I was last year, not because I have played that whole season but technically I feel in a good place.

“The winter has helped. I’ve not just gone away for six months, I’ve had tough competitive cricket but also some downtime for technical work I want to do.

“I’m going into 2015 in a good place and with Treddy (on England Test duty) in the West Indies, I have the first few four-day games to try and impress.

“I know I’m competing with Treddy for that spot in the side. I’ve only been there and done it for one season, I need to back that up with some consistent performances this year. That’s the short-term goal.

“In white ball cricket, my ambition is to get into the team as a regular. Until now, I’ve only come in when Treddy is away or we’re playing on a spinning pitch, I feel I can do that job. I’ve been working on that this winter.

“Last year we were too inconsistent, this year we have all the bases covered in terms of having a good team. We just need to put it together and win some games.”