Sam Northeast says Kent need to sharpen up their bowling to rekindle their hopes of a knockout place in NatWest T20 Blast.

In yet another high-scoring affair, the Spitfires fell short chasing 200 against South Group leaders Glamorgan, who cruised to a total of 199-2 in 20 overs at Canterbury on Sunday.

Northeast claimed: "I think they were above par again. When me and Joe Denly were going we felt we were in the game but a few overs where you lose a wicket and a few low overs and it puts you behind and guys come in needing 12 or 13 an over - it's hard work.

"It was never going to be easy chasing down that score, we're just going to have to get better with the ball. We're going to give it a lot of thought.

"The coaches and the bowlers are going to have to get together and really come up with a plan going forward. We've got Hampshire (on Tuesday) and Somerset coming up.

"We're going to have to be better. We're going to have to come up with better plans and execute them a lot better than we have done.

"At times maybe we bowled a bit short. I think the last two overs cost us a bit - 14 and 19 runs I think, but then Mitch Claydon has bowled brilliantly at the death throughout the competition. It happens in T20, you'll have a night where you go round the park.

"Overall I think we're conceding too many runs at times. We're either not adapting to the pitch well enough or just not bowling our lengths."

Kent fans were bemused by the fact that Alex Blake was promoted to bat at four resulting in Sam Billings being left to face just five balls and Darren Stevens' bat not being used at all.

Northeast explained: "There was a pretty clear plan - there was a huge wind going across and we wanted to target the leg side, so a left-hander at one end and a rightie at the other makes sense.

"When you have Billings and Stevo in the hutch, yes it looks a bit strange, but we believe in all the guys in that top seven that they can come in and do a job. The six and seven might have to win you games right at the death, that's what happens in this game.

"I don't think that was the issue necessarily. Needing 12 or 13 an over for any batter coming in is tough work."

He added: "If you chase down 200 then it's a brilliant result but it doesn't happen ever day. If teams are consistently getting 190+ against you then it's hard work, even with the batting line-up we've got. You're up against it.

"We're going to have to be a bit more energetic in the field as well and put a bit of pressure on. Taking early wickets is crucial and I don't think we've done that throughout the competition so far."

Kent were again missing Kiwi fast-bowler Adam Milne to a thigh problem and Northeast admitted: "When you've got X-factor like Milne and he's not playing you do miss him. When you sign an overseas to come and make a big impact, like he did at Beckenham and the Oval. You need a player of his calibre in the side.

"They had loads of international quality on the pitch - we' have liked to have that X-factor for sure.

"Glamorgan are top of the table for a reason, they have powerful hitters and guys who bowl
well up front and at the death. They're a good side, but we were disappointing."