Paul Farbrace says there is no "panic or concern" about Rob Key’s lack of runs this season and is backing the Kent skipper to come good.

Beneficiary Key (picured) has struggled in t20 cricket this season, scoring only 90 runs in seven innings, including a top score of 43 in the opening defeat against Somerset.

However, director of cricket Farbrace said: "Twenty20 cricket is tough at the top of the order and he got an unplayable yorker from Dirk Nannes on Sunday (against Surrey Lions), which I would defy anyone in world cricket to have got a touch on.

"That’s the way it’s going for Keysy at the moment but I am sure there is a big score for him just around the corner.

"I am not concerned. He is a good player with an excellent record and is working as hard as possible on his game.

"He is 100 per cent committed to opening and dropping down the order hasn’t been discussed."

Farbrace says two wins in the next four days will go a long way toward ensuring the Spitfires reach the quarter-finals.

They play Hampshire Royals on Thursday under the lights at the Rose Bowl, before facing Essex Eagles on Friday (7pm) and Glamorgan Dragons on Sunday (3pm), both at Canterbury. They also face Gloucestershire at Bristol on Wednesday.

Farbrace said: "The game against Essex is a key game for both teams and if we won two of them, then the players and I would be disappointed if we didn’t go on and qualify."