DEFEAT Hampshire at The Rose Bowl and then keep all fingers crossed for an hour or so. That's the Twenty20 Cup qualification scenario facing Kent's players this evening.

The Spitfires must win their fifth and final Southern Zone qualifier, starting at 5.30pm, at the new Hedge End ground to stand any chance of making the draw for Monday's quarter-finals.

Victory will take Andrew Symonds' side up to six points which, together with a good run-rate figure, may well be enough to clinch automatic qualification in second spot or one of the two places for best third-placed finishers.

Kent's fate will also hinge on the result from Chelmsford, where Essex Eagles take on basement side Sussex. Crucially, that game takes place under lights starting at 7.30pm, ensuring Kent could face a nail-biting 90-minute wait before knowing the outcome.

Symonds, Ian Butler, Rob Key, Geraint Jones and Matt Walker, who all missed yesterday's four-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka A, return to the side.

Ed Smith, who scored his third successive limited overs half-century at Canterbury yesterday, could yet force his way into consideration, at the possible expense of Joe Denly. Martin Saggers misses out, however, as he continues to rest a sore right knee.

Kent from: Symonds, Carberry, Loudon, Walker, Key, Tredwell, Jones, Denly, Khan, Butler, Trott, Smith, Dennington, Ferley.