Paul Farbrace refused to criticise his batsmen and blamed the weather and pitch conditions as the main reasons for Kent’s nine-wicket defeat against Middlesex in just over two days at Lord’s on Tuesday.

Twenty-three wickets fell in an incredible day on Sunday, leading to the umpires, former Kent player Nigel Llong and Steve Garrett, reporting the surface. But while ECB pitch inspectors deemed it poor quality, no action was taken.

Director of cricket Farbrace (pictured) said: "We were caught on a poor pitch on the first morning and who won the toss would win the game.

"Both sides would have bowled, the pitch had been covered for 64 of the preceding 72 hours.

"It wasn’t the worst pitch we have played on this season but the weather was terrible in London late last week and it was too damp at the start and was expected to do plenty.

"We were facing a good seam attack including Steve Finn, Corey Collymore and Tim Murtagh, and did well to get 87.

"I have got no criticism of the batters. There was little else we could have done.

"We didn’t bowl with the new ball quite as well as they did, missed Sam Robson twice and should have got them out closer to 100."

Martin van Jaarsveld looks set to replace youngster Sam Billings for Spitfires’ two Friends Life t20 games against Middlesex at Uxbridge on Friday (5.30pm) and Surrey at Beckenham on Sunday (3pm) as the county look to build on their three wins in the South Group.