KENT were set to pick from an unchanged squad for today’s second Benson & Hedges Cup southern zone qualifier against Sussex at Canterbury.

Skipper Matthew Fleming had hoped to welcome back fellow England international Mark Ealham following his knuckle and ankle injuries, but a failed fitness test will ensure Ealham remains on the sidelines a little longer.

"Mark had a net yesterday and isn’t too far off, but we’re not taking the risk with him today," said Fleming ahead of the tie.

"He’s worried that if it’s a full 50-over game the ankle might stiffen up after a first spell of five overs and prevent him from coming back to complete his overs"

Although conditions were bright and breezy at St Lawrence when the players arrived areas of the outfield and old wicket ends were still under water, prompting fears of a delayed start.

Visitors Sussex, who lost their opening zonal tie by 20-runs to Essex in a rain-reduced tie in Chelmsford, were also set to name a full-strength and unchanged side. They include two ex-Kent fringe players in all-rounder Will House and former Kent second-string off-spinner Mark Davis.

Kent from: Fulton, Key, Hockley, Smith, Symonds, Walker, Fleming, Nixon, Golding, Saggers, Masters, Tredwell.

Sussex: Montgomerie, Ambrose, Adams, Goodwin, Cottey, Martin-Jenkins, House, Yardy, Davis, Taylor, Kirtley.