He was first included in a Hampshire squad nearly 20 years ago. That was only as a reserve, but now at long last the Atherley lead will get his first taste of Liberty Trophy action when Hampshire meet Kent in the quarter-finals at Camberley on Sunday, January 28 (10am).

Following the second-round victory over Devon, team manager Peter Line has announced three changes, calling up Cole and Banister Park's Danny McEwan from the reserves for their debuts along with the expected recall of skip Russell Morgan, who was forced to miss the last match through business commitments.

Though recently turned 44, Cole qualified for the national indoor play-offs in the 1980s, going through in the pairs three winters in a row with Russell Kemp. He also won the county fours title with Kemp, Peter Hobday and the late Joe Bridle.

Family commitments saw him take a break from the sport, but he returned four years ago and is delighted to be playing against Kent in a rink that includes his former Atherley clubmate Hobday, who is now with Victory.

Cole, who will lead for club colleague Peter Ward, said: "I was a reserve in the squad some 18 years ago but I didn't actually play, so to finally get there is great news."

McEwan, a 61-year-old Scot from Stirlingshire, deserves his place after some fine performances this autumn which have included beating Peter Ward at singles in the Famous Grouse Classic for Banister Park and chalking up a 24-5 success over Victory's accomplished bowler Adrian Ash in the Egham Trophy.

McEwan, who has been a reserve for the last two seasons, took up indoor bowls six years ago on his return to Hampshire after his job had taken him to Wales.

He lines up at number two in a shuffled rink completed by East Dorset threesome Bill Ward (lead), Nicky Smith (three) and skip Julian Haines.

Boss Line said: "Danny was very close to getting into the side for our first match against Essex and he has continued to show good form this season, while Keith is not only a fine lead but his enthusiasm and exuberance rubs off on other members of a rink."

The rinks of Graham Standley, Richard Shelley and Nicky Jones are unchanged.

Victory duo Barry Starks and Colin Hayward are omitted from Peter Ward's rink to be replaced by Cole and Hobday who has been switched from Russell Morgan's quartet.

Andy Ross (Longmeadow) is left out of the Haines foursome while Morgan is restored to skip his own rink with Kevin Cousins, who skipped at the last minute against Devon, playing at three.

Bill Belcher, drafted into the Devon game after Morgan's late withdrawal, retains his place at number two to Morgan. Rinks to play Kent:

John Barter (Atherley), Chris Martin, Dean Morgan (both East Dorset), skip Graham Standley (Longmeadow);

Ron Sparks (East Dorset), Steve Robertson, Darren Griffith (both Victory), skip Richard Shelley (Atherley);

Steve Henry (East Dorset), Denny Graydon (Banister Park), Colin Thresher (Atherley), skip Nicky Jones (East Dorset);

Keith Cole (Atherley), Trevor Bailey (Havant), Peter Hobday (Victory), skip Peter Ward (Atherley);

Bill Ward (East Dorset), Danny McEwan (Banister Park), Nicky Smith, skip Julian Haines (both East Dorset);

Mathew Marchant (Victory), Bill Belcher, Kevin Cousins, skip Russell Morgan (all East Dorset).

Reserves: Andy Ross (Longmeadow), Colin Hayward, Iain Mackenzie, Barry Starks (all Victory).