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Kent captain Rob Key is targeting the NatWest T20 Blast knockout stages as the Spitfires look to bounce back against Glamorgan tonight

Kent skipper Rob Key said the Spitfires are not far off being challengers in NatWest T20 Blast and has set his sights on a place in the knockout stages.

Wednesday night’s six-wicket defeat to Essex saw Kent slip to fourth in the South Group table, but they have the chance to bounce back against third-placed Glamorgan in Cardiff tonight (Friday).

Key said: “We’re not far away at all really. A few catches and we’re probably winning that Essex game.”

He added: “There are some good young players showing some good signs, but I hate saying that when you lose games, talking about positives when you really had every chance of winning the game, young side or not.”

Rob Key in action against Essex on Wednesday. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Rob Key in action against Essex on Wednesday. Picture: Barry Goodwin

“There are a lot of good sides in this division. Glamorgan have hitters and bowlers and you can never right anyone off. Nothing ever seems to be as close as a T20 game in the whole of sport.

“We’re playing well enough and we’ve got enough of a formula going to (reach the quarter-final stage). Hopefully we can continue, we have good back-up as well. We have decisions to make, horses for courses for every game.”

Key shared a record Kent T20 opening stand of 119 with Daniel Bell-Drummond on Wednesday but admitted the end of that partnership could have contributed to their overall defeat, though costly drops of match-winner Ravi Bopara and Ryan ten Doeschate were the ultimate difference.

He said: “We were pretty good with that bat. I’m pleased for Deebs. I thought he really matured today. We both probably got out at just the wrong time. I get a 90 or 100 there and we’re well over 200.

“I think 190 was a good score, well above the average here but Ravi Bopara played very well.

"He’s a good player in good form as we’ve seen all week. It’s very hard to stop people like that when they’re going. When they give you a chance you have to take it.”

“You take those chances and it’s probably a different scenario.”

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