Kent v Sussex Twenty20 semi-final preview

KENT head for the second city of Birmingham on Friday to make their final preparations for Saturday's Twenty20 Cup semi-final showdown with Sussex from 3pm.

The 13-man squad were set to hold their final net sessions at their Canterbury headquarters on Friday morning where new signing Lasith Malinga was set to meet the side for the first time.

The Sri Lanka pace ace, dubbed "The Slinger" because of his unusual round-arm style, arrived in London at 6pm on Thursday evening and in good time to make his county debut against the Sharks - a side he took five wickets against last summer.

Kent's director of cricket Graham Ford said: "Lasith landed safely and was down in Kent in good time for dinner.

"His work permit is already in place, so he'll meet the guys at St Lawrence and be raring to go come 3pm at Edgbaston on Saturday."

Ford and his skipper Rob Key have named 13 for the trip with two principally to cover late fitness problems. The main debate will surround the final specialist batting berth and the pick between Matthew Walker and Neil Dexter.

The experienced Walker, back after a calf strain problem, played no real part in last weekend's NatWest Pro40 win over Derbyshire, while the younger and generally fitter Dexter, is in good form with the bat, bowls medium-pace if required, can keep wicket in an emergency and is an excellent all-round fielder.

Having taken only one wicket in five days of cricket in Scarborough and Derby last week it would seem Saggers will be in the squad as cover for Yasir Arafat, who missed both games with a side injury.

In the other Edgbaston semi-final, Lancashire will be taking on Gloucestershire.

Kent squad for finals day: Key, Denly, van Jaarsveld, Stevens, Dexter, Jones, McLaren, Yasir Arafat, Tredwell, Cook, Lasith Malinga, Walker, Saggers.