Alex Blake claims he’s hitting form at the right time as he returns to the Kent Spitifires’ squad for the NatWest T20 Blast opener at Taunton on Friday night.

The 25-year-old academy product top scored in last Friday’s 50-over game against Sri Lanka with 60 from 65 balls, including seven fours, having hit two
half-centuries in 2nd XI t20 games against Hampshire 24 hours earlier.

With the Spitfires visiting Somerset on Friday night, a week before their home opener against Gloucestershire, Blake said it felt “good to be back.”

He said: “It was a nice feeling to contribute a bit to the team against an international side. It was also nice to get time in the middle. It was my first game for the 1sts this year, so I was happy with it.

“It’s a step up from the 2nds in any first-team game, let alone one against an international team.

“To come up against the likes of Kulasekara and Mendes was good and I’m just glad I could get a few against them and show what I can do.” He added: “We had two t20s at the Rose Bowl the previous day and I got 69 and 51 and felt like I was hitting it pretty well. It’s nice to be in a bit of form.”

The Bromley batsman has played 36 games for Kent in each of one-day and t20 cricket but has only scored 858 runs combined.

Assistant coach Matt Walker admitted: “He perhaps hasn’t quite fulfilled his potential, having had opportunities over the past couple of years and not grabbed them as we’d have liked for a player with his ability and talent.

“He’s a player who is always in our thinking for one-day cricket. The innings against Sri Lanka showed everyone what he can do.

"He’s a dynamic cricketer, brilliant in the field and ticks every box with the bat, in terms of the shots he can play and he hits the ball out the park. He’s got the lot.“It’s an opportunity for him, this year, at his age to have a consistent season.”

Fabian Cowdrey and David Griffiths are also added to Spitfires squad, although Ben Harmison will miss out.