by Andrew Gidley

Kent Spitfires face Sussex Sharks at Hove on Thursday night aiming to bounce back quickly from the defeat against Essex Eagles at Chelmsford on Monday which cost them top spot in the Twenty 20 Cup South Division.

Eagles led on net run-rate, ahead of their home game against the Sharks on Wednesday. Another win would have taken them two points clear, while victory for Sussex, would have put them a point ahead at the top.

Spitfires have an excellent record against the Sharks, losing only twice in nine meetings, and cricket director Graham Ford said: "We have played some good cricket in the competition so far and even though we lost on Monday, the signs are of the boys being in pretty good form.

"There are always going to be a few hiccups along the way in any Twenty20 campaign. The important thing is how we bounce back, so the game against Sussex will be a big test on how we react to our first defeat of the season.

"Hopefully we will come good again because a win would put us in a good position at the end of the first phase."

Kent are likely to pick from the same 12 who were on duty at Chelmsford, with Sam Northeast again included.

Darren Stevens will play despite still recovering from a broken left index finger and the Kent batsman has been in the wars elsewhere.

He was hit backing up against Middlesex last week, and then stubbed his toe walking from the car park at Chelmsford on Monday.