Kent v Surrey LV County Championship

Kent will give 11th hour fitness tests to three key players ahead of Thursday's Division 1 top-versus-bottom four-day clash against Surrey at St Lawrence.

The hosts, buoyed by Tuesday night's Pro40 League drubbing of Surrey, will hope that Azhar Mahmood (knee), Yasir Arafat (side) and Neil Dexter (shoulder) pass fit enabling them to field a near full-strength side against the relegation threatened opponents.

All-rounder Justin Kemp is the only definite Kent absentee with back problems, but the other three are rated at 50/50 or better.

Controversial Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar is set to make his Surrey debut at the expense of Matt Nicholson, who appears to have played his last game for the Kennington-based county.

The game is scheduled for a 10.30am start each day.

Kent from: Key, Deny, Dexter, van Jaarsveld, Stevens, Jones, McLaren, Arafat, Mahmood, Tredwell, Khan, Joseph, Saggers, Cook, Walker.