KENT will ring the changes for the start of their Benson & Hedges Cup campaign against Hampshire at West End near Southampton today.

The party travelled to The Rose Bowl after last night’s rain-affected draw with Sri Lanka that was at brightened up by the fastest century of the summer by Matthew Fleming.

The county’s limited overs’ skipper hit 102 from 66 balls in an innings he described as perfect preparation for his side’s five southern zonal qualifiers in the next seven days.

"I wanted to spend some time in the middle but, with the Benson’s in mind, decided to step up the scoring a little after tea," said Fleming after spanking 12 fours and three sixes during his 80-minute stay.

"I also enjoyed batting with Geraint Jones (76 not out) again and it was great for us to put on 170 in 20 overs.

"The bowling was of a reasonable standard, but it was a good pitch and to be honest the Sri Lankan’s were so cold that they were laughably bad in the field.

"I doubt very much that it will be Geraint’s last first-class 50 for Kent and it was great for Dave Fulton to score his century earlier in the day too, that sends another message out to the selectors that there are guys down here who still churn out centuries regularly."

For today’s tie Fleming will select from a squad of 12, but is without the unlucky Mark Ealham, who sprained his left ankle in his first training session back after breaking a knuckle in pre-season training.

The skipper also selects rookie off-spinner James Tredwell ahead of former Test left-armer Min Patel and gives Lordswood’s David Masters the nod ahead of close season signing James Hewitt.

"Ben isn’t quite ready in fitness terms yet and James Hewitt, isn’t quite on his A game yet, so we’re giving Masters a chance to stake a claim," added Fleming.

"Treder’s has bowled really well this season and his left-handed batting has also come on, in fact, out of all our young players has probably enjoyed the most outstanding pre-season.

"We also feel Min isn’t quite on top of his game at the moment, so it will also do him some good to go and play a three-day game in Hinkley to get some overs under his belt.

"It’s not a permanent commitment to Tredwell, but we have to give these youngsters a try and keep moving forward as a club."

Kent squad: Key, Fulton, Hockley, Smith, Walker, Symonds, Nixon, Fleming, Golding, Tredwell, Masters, Saggers.