ROB KEY and Alamgir Sheriyar return to the Kent cause at The Mote at Maidstone tomorrow when the county continue their fight against Championship relegation against Nottinghamshire.

Key has been told by England that his services will not be required for Saturday’s NatWest International final against South Africa at Lord’s leaving him free to play his first championship match since scoring 36 against Middlesex on May 14.

Though he remains on standby for the final, Key will at least be confident of playing three days out of four in this crucial Festival Week match against fellow strugglers Nottinghamshire.

Amjad Khan, who missed the defeat to Surrey after slicing open the webbing on his right hand while doing the washing up, also makes a welcome return to the squad for a game Kent must win to prevent posting their worst ever start to a championship campaign.

Looking forward to the relegation tussle, all-rounder Mark Ealham, who hit form at the county town ground on Sunday with a 22-ball half-century, said: "Clearly, with just three points between us and Nottinghamshire, this is a vital game.

"The wicket looked a bit damp earlier in the week, but if Sunday’s league wicket was anything to go by, it should be another Maidstone belter.

"I’m sure if it stays dry for the four days then there will be a result and, despite our poor start, I’d like to think that if we can play to our best we’ll be on the right end of the result this time around."

Kent from: Key, Fulton, Smith, Symonds, Walker, Jones, Ealham, Ferley, Sheriyar, Trott, Sami, Tredwell, Khan, Dennington, Carberry.