BATSMAN Mike Powell is hoping to continue reaping the rewards of getting back to basics when Glamorgan start their County Championship clash with Kent in Cardiff this morning.

The 34-year-old was dropped from the championship side in 2010 but is back in favour under the new regime of coach Matthew Mott and skipper Alviro Petersen.

However, he found himself staring down the barrel when his first five innings of the season yielded just 46 runs.

The pressure was on and Powell responded with an impressive 65 on the final day of the clash with Surrey that helped secure a draw.

The number four got starts in the loss to Essex last week, notching 36 and 33, and feels he is getting back in the groove. "My form is getting better and my season is picking up momentum," he said.

"I’m getting better every knock and working hard with Matthew Mott, who has been brilliant.

"I have spent a lot of time with him working on my technique and getting back to basics. I am hitting the ball straight and playing how I used to.

"Every knock is important, my contract is up at the end of the season and I will know soon whether I am going to get another one.

"I want to score as many runs as possible and I am not worried about others taking my spot because I am in control of my own destiny.

"If anything I want others to score big runs as well because that will mean the first and second teams are winning."

Over the next four days they will be up against a Kent side that are propping up the Division Two table after three defeats in four games.

However, there is no danger of Rob Key’s side being taken lightly by Glamorgan.

Powell said: "Kent will be like a wounded animal after the start they have made and have plenty of players of Test quality."

Meanwhile, it will be Glam’s first four-day game since a hip injury forced seamer David Harrison to retire.

"Nobody wears their trousers higher and nobody wears them shorter than him," joked Powell.

"He is a very good friend of mine and it’s the worst side of sport to see someone forced to retire. But he seems to be in good spirits and it will be good to still have him around doing some coaching and analysis work."

Squad: G Rees, A Petersen (captain), W Bragg, M Powell, B Wright, J Allenby, G Wagg, M Wallace (wicket-keeper), J Harris, R Croft, D Cosker , A Shantry, W Owen.