Key caught 'sand-papering' ball

Robert Key was caught using sandpaper on a ball during Kent's recent pre-season friendly against Nottinghamshire, but will not face any action from the club or ECB. The match, arranged between the two teams, was not an official ECB fixture so doesn't come under the jurisdiction. A picture taken by a freelance photographer showed Key using the sandpaper to assist reverse swing.

"The way the game is moving forward for bowlers nowadays is through reverse swing," Key told The Guardian, "so what we've tried to do throughout our pre-season nets was to get brand new balls, sandpaper one side, and let the boys practise bowling. It actually goes really well."

The two local officials, and Nottinghamshire's coach Mick Newell, say they saw nothing but would have at least asked questions of Key if they had.