Paul Farbrace is aiming for Kent Spitfires to be a real force in the new Clydesdale Bank 40-over competition which begins against Warwickshire Bears at Canterbury on Sunday (1.45pm).

The ECB have revamped the look of domestic one-day cricket this season, replacing the 50-over Friends Provident Trophy and the old NatWest Pro40, with a new tournament to be played mainly on Sundays.

Team director Farbrace said: "We aim to be competitive and strong and will pick our best team in every game.

"We feel we have got the players to do well in the shorter form of the game. We played the youngsters last year because with no promotion or relegation, it was ideal to give them opportunities."

The new format involves the 18 first class counties, Scotland, Netherlands and an ECB Recreational XI, including players without county contracts.

Three groups of seven teams play each other home and away with the winners and best placed second team qualifying for the semi-finals. The final is at Lord’s on September 18.