A solid top-order batsman, Robert Key is a prolific run-getter for Kent, but floundered on the international scene. Key was given his Test debut against India at Trent Bridge in August 2002 on the back of churning out 1000 runs during the 2001 first-class season. Key was also included in the English team for the 2002/03 Ashes series, in which he made his maiden half-century at Melbourne. The Kent batsman produced some good contributions through the course of the series but he had failed to convert those into big scores.

The under-par conversion rate and inconsistency meant that Key was jostled in and out of the team. He showed signs of coming into his heavy-scoring mode when he constructed 221 at Lord's against West Indies but it unfortunately turned out to be a dawn of false hope. Key also played 5 ODIs with very modest success.

Key's last international appearance came in 2005 in a Test match against South Africa in Centurion. However, he continues to be the key for Kent's success in county cricket. With James Tredwell establishing himself in the English ODI team, Key is all set to take over Kent captaincy for an eighth tenure in 2014.

By Cricbuzz Staff