Jack Leaning has described Kent team-mate Tawanda Muyeye as one of the best young players in the country - and admits it’s frustrating he’s unlikely to have him available in the near future.

While Spitfires came bottom of the T20 Blast South group, Muyeye scored two half-centuries in their last four games.

But the 23-year-old will now link-up with champions Oval Invincibles at The Hundred again, alongside Kent head coach Matt Walker and Spitfires skipper Sam Billings.

After Muyeye blasted 61 from 31 balls against Surrey in an 86-run win last Friday night at Canterbury, Leaning, again set to captain Kent in the one-day competition, said: “He has looked red-hot in the last few games.

“It’s a shame he’s going to The Hundred because I wish he was playing with us in the 50-over competition!

"But, hopefully, he starts in the competition there and plays really well.

“He’s one of the best young players in the country.

"When he plays like that, there’s not many people that can stop him.”

Others to be involved in this year’s Hundred from Spitfires’ squad are Daniel Bell-Drummond and fellow batsman Zak Crawley, presently on England duty, at London Spirit.

Bell-Drummond returned to Kent as he couldn’t force his way into the London Spirit side last year and a similar scenario could present itself again.

“I’d love to have them for the whole competition,” stated Leaning.

“But, from a realistic perspective, I hope they play every game in The Hundred and absolutely tear it up.”

Muyeye and Billings both played as Oval Invincibles secured an eight-wicket win in the opening game of The Hundred competition on Tuesday.

Chasing a target of 90, Muyeye blasted 23 from 14 balls before Billings fired an unbeaten 31 off 28 balls in a 62-run stand alongside opening batsman Dawid Malan, who hit 24 not out.

Leaning was another Spitfires player to find form against a star-studded Surrey side as they totalled 217-5. He blasted an unbeaten 33 off 17 balls, including two legside sixes in England bowler Chris Jordan’s last over.

Victory was just Kent’s second at home in the T20 Blast in 2024 - and fourth overall - as they still ended a point behind second-bottom Middlesex.