Matt Coles returns to the Kent Spitfires squad for their vital NatWest T20 Blast clash with Essex at Canterbury on Friday night.

According to the club, Coles “returns to the squad after regaining full fitness after a four-week absence”. He is joined in the 13-man squad by Daniel Bell-Drummond and Sam Billings, both of whom have been on international duty with the England Lions this week, and Kagiso Rabada, who will be playing his final game for the club before he rejoins the South Africa squad.

Both Bell-Drummond and Billings made half-centuries in the Lions game against Sri Lanka A on Thursday; Bell-Drummond having also made his first T20 century with an unbeaten 112 in the Spitfires’ win against Surrey last week.

This Essex clash is Kent’s penultimate game of the group stage, and they are likely to need to win both of their remaining games – tomorrow night, and then next Friday against Surrey at The Oval, to have a chance of qualifying for a quarter-final place.

A near-capacity crowd is expected for the “Battle of the Bridge” at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, and Kent Head Coach Jimmy Adams is hopeful that his side can get the job done.

“The lads made a big statement by winning both our recent T20 games in the Westcountry on consecutive nights”, the former West Indies captain said.

“The bottom line is that we found ourselves in a situation where we have to win virtually every game to stand a chance of success so hopefully we can put a winning run together.

“It’s a case of getting the players into a good mindset and believing in their ability to get the job done.”

Fabian Cowdrey (appendicectomy), Calum Haggett (ankle) and Matt Hunn (ankle) remain sidelined with injury for Kent.

Essex Eagles have also named a 13-man squad for the derby encounter, featuring the likes of Ravi Bopara, Tom Westley, Ryan ten Doeschate, Ashar Zaidi, James Foster and Graham Napier.

Kent Spitfires squad: Bell-Drummond, Denly, Northeast*, Billings†, Blake, Stevens, Ball, Coles, Rabada, Claydon, Tredwell, Griffiths, Weller

Essex Eagles squad: Bopara*, Velani, Mickleburgh, Browne, Westley, Ten Doeschate, Zaidi, Lawrence, Foster†, Napier, Taylor, Quinn, Walter

Photograph courtesy of Steve Bailey