Matt Walker says getting off to a good start in this season’s T20 Blast is essential if they want to progress to the knockout stages.

Kent begin with matches away from home against Surrey, Somerset and Gloucestershire on Friday, Sunday and Wednesday respectively.

It is a competition Spitfires have been targeting this season.

Head coach Walker said: “We are going to have to play very well and hopefully put in some early performances and get off to a good start. Hopefully momentum will take us forward.

“It doesn't really bother or affect me (playing first three away). The Oval is a fantastic place to play and it’s normally a very good wicket.

“Somerset is the same and is a run-fest usually. Historically at Gloucester we play well. It’s unusual to have your first three games on the road but it would be great to get three wins on the road it would be a great start for us.

“Before the season started, if I’m honest, this is the competition I targeted the most in terms of us doing something special in it.

“It may not be the case but I certainly think with the group of players we’ve got here that the T20 suits the style of players we’ve got.”

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Kent go into the T20 Blast competition high on confidence after a successful first half in the season that saw them reach the final of the Royal London One-Day Cup and are second in the Specsavers County Championship.

Their squad will be boosted by the arrival of overseas players Adam Milne, Carlos Brathwaite (first four games) and Marcus Stoinis (last nine).

“Performances have come from everywhere this season and I hope we aren’t just relying on one or two in T20.

“If you look on paper there’s a lot of quality all the way through.

“The core group we’ve had now since the start of the season have done very well in the white-ball format and then you add in the quality of those three along the way. It’s great for everyone to welcome Carlos and see what he can bring to the party.

“He’s a very dynamic and exciting cricketer so I’m certainly looking forward to seeing it.”

Kent have been prepared for the T20 campaign with two warm-up matches against the Netherlands on Monday and Tuesday at Canterbury.

Walker added: “It seemed like a good idea at first to get them booked in! Then with our 50-over campaign turned it into a frantic few days.

“It’s a great thing and the Dutch are a good side. In recent years we haven’t had that opportunity.

“In this instance we have nearly a week to prepare. You can have as many nets as you like but to play a competitive game or two is the best preparation.”