Kent Spitfires edged past Warwickshire Bears by a single run in a frantic finale at Edgbaston to get their YB40 campaign off to the perfect start.

Kent were indebted to Brendan Nash’s best one-day performance to date, an unbeaten 98 which steered the visitors to 239-8, while Adam Ball made useful runs and bowled four tight overs, including the final one, to see his side over the line.

Nash’s main support came from a breezy 44 from Rob Key and late flurries from Ball (28 from 22 balls including five fours) and Matt Coles, who cracked back-to-back sixes off Chris Woakes in his 11-ball knock of 20.

Warwickshire were restricted to 185-5 in reply, meaning they needed 55 from their final six overs, however the unlikely figure of spinner Jeetan Patel ensured the game reached a dramatic final over.

Patel hit two sixes and six fours in a blistering 50 off 27 balls which threatened to condemn the Spitfires to defeat until he was run-out by Ball from the final delivery, with the Bears needing just two to win.

Spinners James Tredwell and Adam Riley claimed the prized wickets of opener Varun Chopra (67) and William Porterfield (47) while Coles accounted for Ian Bell after his rapid 35 and Bell’s England colleague Jonathan Trott made only three before nicking a Mark Davies delivery to Geraint Jones.

Kent secured two points to sit third in Group A behind Worcestershire and Nottinghamshire, whom they visit in a televised floodlit clash at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.