KENT will play neighbouring Sussex Sharks in the semi-finals of this year's Twenty20 Cup competition after both counties made it through to finals day for the first time on Wednesday night.

While the Sharks were holding off the challenge of Yorkshire to qualify for this years finals day at Birmingham Test venue Edgbaston on Saturday, August 4, so Spitfires were holding their nerve to land a last over, nine-wicket win against Nottinghamshire in Trent Bridge.

Chasing Nottinghamshire's 138 all out, Kent edged home off the penultimate ball of the night having scored nine off the last over from Andrew Harris.

After his side's triumph in the East Midlands, 24 hours later than the scheduled game due to Tuesday's heavy rain, Kent skipper Rob Key said: "Nottinghamshire's batsmen looked on fire at the start there and they were scoring at 10s and 11s an over, but credit my boys for coming back.

"James Tredwell, Simon Cook and Darren Stevens did magnificent things for us when you consider that none of the pundits talk about them in terms of international recognition."

Key, who hit 54 in a first-wicket stand of 96, also praised opening partner Joe Denly for seeing the side home with an unbeaten 63, and his much maligned off-spinner James Tredwell, whose four-over stint of two for 19 checked the Outlaws' flying start.

Key said: "I find it embarrassing that 'Tredders' isn't in the Twenty20 World Cup squad of 30, he came on when they were flying and bowled us back into the game. He takes the pace off the ball, gets good players out, has scored a championship hundred and catches pigeons in the field, but no one seems to be looking at him in terms of selection.

"To my mind that has to stop because I think he's the best one-day spinner in the country now and is a more than capable batsman.

"Maybe finals day will be the platform the likes of 'Tredders' and Joe need to catch the eye and raise their profiles.

"Joe has had an unbelievable start to his career in first-class cricket and under pressure tonight he played brilliantly.

"All I hope is that we go up to Birmingham and play well under pressure.

"At this stage of the competition they're all decent sides left with decent game plans, so whoever it is we have to play in Birmingham we'll have to play well to beat them."

Kent have already played Sussex twice in one-day competition this season, Key's men overwhelmed Chris Adams's side in the Friends Provident Trophy to win by 112 runs in Hove, but then the Sharks bit back to defeat Kent by seven wickets in a Twenty20 tie in Canterbury courtesy of Luke Wright's 44-ball century.

Lancashire and Gloucestershire make up the other semi-finalists making the trip to Birmingham for August 4 though, in the event of rain, the ECB have allowed a reserve day on Sunday.

Kent have a 50-50 cup record against Sussex, they have played four, won two and lost two, but they have yet to play Lancashire or Gloucestershire in this event.

News of ticket sales to Kent supporters for the second city extravaganza will be released on the county's website www.kent-ccc.co.uk on Thursday or Friday.