Hampshire to face Test star Zac Crawley – but Kent are minus two other England players for T20 Blast opener at Canterbury

Both Sam Billings and Joe Denly are in England’s squad for the forthcoming ODI series against Pakistan at Old Trafford.

But Spitfires coach Matt Walker - who welcomes back Ageas Bowl double centurion Zak Crawley from Test duty - believes his side can still be a force to be reckoned with in the shortest form of the game.

‘We’re getting used to it now,’ he said. ‘It’s something we plan for and it’s great to see Sam and Joe both in the England mix.

‘I suspect, once they’re in the England bio-secure bubble, that we won’t be seeing much of them at all throughout the Vitality Blast qualifiers.

‘They bring a lot to the party and Sam is our captain and leader, but it remains a great credit to the club that we’re now having to plan for three players being away on international duty.

‘We want our players to be pushing for England teams. Of course it makes selection meetings a little tricky at times, and for a small club like us that can be challenging.

‘But my philosophy remains the same; the more players we have playing for England the better it is for the club and for inspiring our next group of players.’

The likes of Jordan Cox, Oli Robinson, Matt Milnes and Harry Podmore will aim to grab their chance to become Kent’s next cabs off the international rank.

And Alex Blake, the county’s first ever player to sign a white-ball only contract, is looking forward to his long-awaited chance to shine.

‘These youngsters want to play in every game they can and that all helps create a real hunger and exciting buzz around the place,’ said Walker.

‘Having Zak back will be a boost as I know he and all the young lads are pumped up for this tournament.

‘It’s been challenging for Blakey because there’s been no 2nd XI white-ball cricket due to Covid-19. He’s played some club cricket and I know he’ll be fine come the first game.

I’m sure Blakey is looking forward to competitive cricket again and we’re all looking forward to seeing him out there because we know what a destructive batsman he can be in this format.’

Hampshire know that more than anyone else.

Back in 2015, Blake came in at No 7 and smacked a career best 71 not out off only 30 balls in a T20 game at The Ageas Bowl.

Current Hampshire skipper Sam Northeast ended on 60 not out as Kent won by five wickets

Last year, Blake was at it again - smashing 57 not out off 38 balls as Kent won by two wickets off the penultimate ball at the same ground.

Just over a week later he blasted five sixes in an unbeaten 66 off 29 balls against Middlesex at Lord’s.

Blake averages only 21.06 in T20 matches, but 35.12 in games against Hampshire.

Walker, meanwhile, is baffled as to why the T20 Blast is ‘disrupting’ the Bob Willis Trophy first-class tournament.

Having played four Trophy games, the counties break for T20 action before the final round of first class games on September 6. The T20 campaign resumes after that.

‘I don’t understand why it ever happens,’ said Walker. ‘It makes no sense to me and isn’t good for anyone, particularly during this shortened season.

‘To chop and change between formats makes it difficult for coaches and players and it’s not very easy to do.

‘It puts strain on the players physically and is downright disruptive, it’s a shame, especially this season, that we can’t get our red-ball cricket out the way before we start up and focus on the T20.

‘I appreciate that it’s never easy to schedule a season, but if it could have been all played in separate blocks, as it used to be in the past, then everyone would have been happier – even the supporters.’