Robert Key made his debut for Kent at 19 in 1998. Spells with the England Academy in Australia and becoming a U19 world cup winner were early career highlights.

His trademark shot is a back-foot biff through the covers, while his off-drive on the front foot pleases the purists too. Shear weight of runs in the county championship forced him up the pecking order for an England spot just at the right time, making his full England debut in the second test against India at Trent Bridge in 2002.

A couple of gutsy innings followed in Australia, although he displayed a worrying propensity for getting out when seemingly set, especially just after a break in play. 2004 was his bumper year to date though where he burst back into the limelight, scoring 1000 first-class runs by the second day of June, (ending up with nearly 1900runs at 79) and cracking a magnificent 221 against West Indies at Lord's in his first Test appearance for over a year. He then steadied a mid innings wobble in the 3rd test at Old Trafford scoring 93no to ensure a second England series win of the summer.

Robert is a highly popular figure at Beckenham where he played all his junior cricket before Kent came calling. He can often be found watching his slightly less talented mates on rare weekends off in the summer, never shy to offer sound advice and help.