KENT SPITFIRES V SURREY BROWN CAPS at Canterbury (Pro40 Division 2), 4 SEPTEMBER 2007

Having won their opening three games in this competition, it was looking good for Kent a couple of weeks ago. But after the Spitfires lost in disappointing fashion to Middlesex and came out of a tight finish against Somerset on the wrong end, they find themselves in a similar position to Surrey; who have done things the other way round. Tomorrow night's winner will therefore fancy their chances of gaining promotion, while the loser will be left needing a mountain to climb.

Rob Key is the main batting danger facing the visitors. In List A cricket he has scored 527 runs at an average of 47.90 this season, including hundreds against Surrey and Derbyshire. Darren Stevens and Matt Walker also need to be shown due respect. However, Martin van Jaarsveld has had a disappointing one-day campaign with the bat, though not as disappointing as Joe Denly's. The 21-year-old opener is yet to replicate his four-day form in the shorter version of the game. Other than the unbeaten 102 he scored against Ireland at the start of the summer, he has just 297 runs to show from a total of 17 completed List A innings. Geraint Jones has chipped in from time to time, but is yet to make a one-day half-century this term. However, both Ryan McLaren and James Tredwell have made up for their side's shortcomings by hitting some useful late innings runs.

Kent's bowling has generally been in better shape than their batting, however the Spitfires have missed Yasir Arafat when he's not been around. Simon Cook is Kent's leading one-day wicket-taker this season with 19 victims at an average of 24.68, and an economy rate of 4.65 runs per over. But, for their ability to get wickets and keep things tight, it would be more appropriate to highlight Martin Saggers and Darren Stevens as dangers with the ball. McLaren and Tredwell complete their side's first choice line-up.

Due to the absence of both Arafat and his replacement Lasith Malinga, Kent will bring in one of Alex Blake and Neil Dexter to give the batting added depth.

Mohammad Akram has 148 one-day wickets. For Kent, Geraint Jones needs 31 runs for 2,000 career runs in List A cricket, Ryan McLaren is set to make his 50th one-day appearance and James Tredwell has 999 runs and 97 wickets in List A cricket.

With both Matt Nicholson and Harbhajan Singh due to be rested, Surrey's attack for tomorrow night's game is lacking in experience if not firepower. But the good news is that both overseas signings will be available for this week's championship showdown at Edgbaston. For the time being, though, their places will be occupied by Jade Dernbach and Neil Saker. This game will also be Chris Schofield’s last match in Surrey colours, as he is due to travel up to Loughborough to meet up with England's Twenty20 Cup squad. Mark Ramprakash, who is suffering with flu, is also rested, but if his absence results in another failure by Richard Clinton, there could be some more barbed comments on the Oval World messageboard by nightfall on Tuesday.

With no Harbhajan and no Nicholson, Surrey could well struggle, especially if Rob Key or Darren Stevens get set. It's also about time Kent had some luck against the Brown Caps. In List A cricket, the Brit Oval outfit have won the last five meetings between these two sides and have not lost a one-day match at Canterbury since 2001.

J Denly, R Key (capt), M Walker, M van Jaarsveld, G Jones (wk), D Stevens, N Dexter, R McLaren, J Tredwell, S Cook and M Saggers.

Rob Bailey and Richard Kettleborough (3rd umpire - John Steele).

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