Middlesex Crusaders won by 20 runs

FORMER Kent batsman Ed Smith returned to former Kentish pastures to condemn Spitfires to their third Twenty20 Cup defeat in as many starts.

Smith, now with the Middlesex following his acrimonious exit from Canterbury last season, made his former club pay by inspiring the Crusaders to a 20-run win in Beckenham.

Smith, controversially dropped from Kent's Twenty20 outfit last season when in a rich vein of form, returned to hammer three sixes and eight fours in his 59-ball innings of 85 that anchored the Middlesex innings of 189 for eight.

He featured in stands worth 62 with Owais Shah (31) then, as the junior partner, with Jamie Dalrymple (23) in adding 32 for the third wicket.

Kent's attack took more control in the middle of the innings as skipper Walker turned to three spinners on the same pitch used for Wednesday's defeat to Surrey.

The ploy worked initially with off-spinners van Jaarsveld and James Tredwell, restored to the side at Matt Dennington's expense, both taking two for 19.

However, left-armer Rob Ferley failed to revel in conditions and his four wicketless overs went for 46.

Kent's decision to use Stevens as a makeshift fifth bowler backfired as he allowed Smith to accelerate the run-rate by conceding 27 from his two overs.

Ironically, Justin Kemp the South African all-rounder signed to bolster Kent's Twenty20 chances, did not get a bowl.

Smith received a decent ovation once he finally holed out to van Jaarsveld in the penultimate over to give Hall his only wicket of another disappointing display from Spitfires who conceded 28 from the last eight balls in the field.

Needing 190 at a rate of 9.5 an over to open their Southern Group qualifying win account, Kent made a dismal start when in-form Martin van Jaarsveld went leg before in the third over of the reply to Indian left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan.

Van Jaarsveld sidled off inspecting the inside edge of his bat, then six minutes later Walker's cameo 20 ended when he clipped to mid-wicket.

A staccato innings of 18 from 22 balls for Stevens ended when he spooned one up in the air off Scott Styris then, in his next over and the mid-point of the reply, the Kiwi trapped Rob Key for seven to finish his four over with two for 29 to all but end Spitfires' hopes.

Hall and Michael Carberry manfully went for their shots thereafter, Hall impressing with a six onto a marquee roof off Dalrymple, and posted 46 for the fifth wicket.

Hall's 36 came off just 24 balls, but he finally heaved across the line to Melvyn Betts to leave the onus with Carberry.

Needing two-a-ball from the last five overs Carberry, playing his first limited overs innings of the season, took up the mantle with an array of expansive shots.

Yet despite Carberry's best efforts (48 not out) and Kemp (23 not out), who again failed to find his batting form, suddenly found themselves requiring 38 from the last two overs.

It proved another bridge too far at Worsley Bridge Road as Spitfires fell to a third defeat in four days.

Kent play their fourth of eight qualifiers on Monday when they travel to take on Hampshire at The Rose Bowl.