ROB KEY’S chances of winning a ninth Test cap took an unexpected turn for the better yesterday, but only through the bad luck of Surrey’s Mark Butcher.

Key was drafted in to the England party to face the West Indies at Lord’s on Thursday as cover for Butcher who has been suffering with a thigh strain injury he picked up during Surrey’s Twenty20 clash with Kent.

The left-handed opener was expected to recover in time to take his place in the party, but things were made worse when the 31-year-old was involved in a car crash yesterday and suffered whiplash injuries as a consequence.

Key, who will practice in London today with the England side, is likely to learn on Wednesday if he is to replace Butcher, but he and England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones are now certain to miss Kent’s floodlight totesport League clash with Hampshire in Canterbury tonight (4.10pm start).

Good news for Kent captain David Fulton is that overseas all-rounder Andrew Symonds is fit again after an Achilles tendon strain and will play. Spinner Rob Ferley is also likely to form a two-pronged spin attack with James Tredwell at the expense of a seam bowler.

The visitors include the world’s leading Test spinner Shane Warne and will be looking to bounce back from Monday night’s Twenty20 Cup exit at the hands of Lancashire.

Kent from: Carberry, Smith, Symonds, Loudon, Walker, Fulton, Tredwell, Ferley, O’Brien, Butler, Saggers, Khan.