KENT Spitfires will be looking to emulate England’s recent success as they begin their Twenty20 Cup campaign this week.

The Spitfires face the Essex Eagles at Chelmsford in their opening match tomorrow and then travel to Southampton’s Rose Bowl to play Hampshire Hawks the following night.

With Makhaya Ntini returning to his native South Africa, Kent welcome Sri Lanka leg spinner and one-day specialist Malinga Bandara to the side.

The spinner made a promising start to his Kent career last week in taking four first innings wickets for the second XI. Kent coach Paul Farbrace knows Bandara from his time as assistant to the Sri Lanka national side and will be hoping the spinner can build a successful partnership with England international and Twenty20 world champion James Tredwell.

Kent has an outstanding record in the competition, having reached finals day for the past three years and emerging victorious in 2007.

After their recent thrashing of Durham in the county championship, the Spitfires will be confident of improving upon last year’s disappointing semi final defeat to Somerset Sabres.

In Rob Key, Kent have one of the best batsman and sharpest minds in Twenty20.

The captain forms a formidable opening partnership with Joe Denly and there will be expectations of explosive starts during the campaign.

The duo will be backed up by an experienced middle order of Martin van Jaarsveld, Darren Stevens and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones.

On the bowling front, spinners Bangara and Tredwell will be assisted by Azhar Mahmood and Ajmad Khan.

The newly-named Friends Provident t20 tournament is crucial to the long-term survival of the county game.

Cash-strapped Kent will be hoping that the ‘bounce’ from England’s triumph in the West Indies will bring fans through the turnstiles, despite strong competition from the football World Cup.

Changes to the format mean each side will play 16 matches and with the rules relaxed to allow two overseas players, the counties have heavily invested in some of the world’s best cricketers.

Big-hitting Aussie Adam Gilchrist will open for the Middlesex Panthers, Surrey Lions have signed Andrew Symonds and reigning champions Sussex Sharks have recruited Kiwi wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum, so competition in the South group will be tougher than ever.

Kent play their first home Twenty20 fixture against Tunbridge Wells on June 9.

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