KENT’S 10-match unbeaten run ended against Essex last weekend, but Spitfires’ are very much in the mood for an improved showing in this season’s Twenty20 Cup campaign.

After below par performances in the inaugural Twenty20 season and then again last year, Kent have a dismal Cup record of played 13 and won three - ensuring they have plenty to prove in this popular format of domestic cricket.

Rob Key's side kick-off with a chance of revenge against Essex at the Worsley Bridge Ground on Tuesday in the first of their qualifiers.

After away ties at The Oval the following night and at Lord’s on Friday, Kent return to the former Lloyds-TSB Social Club ground for two more games against Hampshire on Sunday, July 2 and against Middlesex on Tuesday, July 4.

Key said: "I don’t think we gave Twenty20 the amount of thought it probably deserved in its first two years.

"When we did come up with a game plan, we changed it almost every game and people ended up batting in different positions every match.

"We’ve started badly in the past, but we know the competition is here to stay, it’s a great earner for the club and it’s enjoyable to play in so it’s time for the excuses to stop and for us to play some good cricket."

Kent’s Twenty20 Cup fixtures

Tuesday, June 27 v Essex (Beckenham 5.30pm)
Wednesday, June 28 v Surrey (The Oval 5.30pm)
Friday, June 30 v Middlesex (Lord’s 5.30pm)
Sunday, July 2 v Hampshire (Beckenham 3pm)
Tuesday, July 4 v Middlesex (Beckenham 5.30pm)
Thursday, July 6 v Sussex (Floodlit, Hove 7.30pm)
Friday, July 7 v Essex (Floodlit, Chelmsford 7.30pm)
Tuesday, July 11 v Surrey (Canterbury 5.30pm)