Daniel Bell-Drummond is confident Kent Spitfires team-mate Matt Parkinson will bounce back from a rare off day in their T20 Blast home four-wicket defeat to Middlesex on Sunday.

England international Parkinson never found his rhythm and ended with 0-37 despite playing on a used pitch at The Spitfire Ground.

But Bell-Drummond said: “The first three games, I think he was our best bowler.

“Obviously, he got the hat-trick at Chelmsford against Middlesex and I’m not sure if he even went above six-an-over against Hampshire. That’s cricket.

“He has been our best bowler until now. It was one of those things.

“I think the left-hand-right-hand combination made it tough for him.

"But he will come back stronger - and so will we.”

Spitfires skipper Sam Billings still called upon the spin of Joe Denly and Marcus O’Riordan, the former claiming his 50th T20 wicket.

Bell-Drummond thinks having an array of bowling options is required in the shortest format.

“Joey Evison didn’t get a bowl on Sunday,” he noted. “It’s just great that the captain can call upon so many options - and that’s needed.

“Different wickets, different boundary sizes, call for different options. It’s one of those things.

“Joey Evison had a brilliant game with the ball against Hampshire and might get a go at Taunton - you never know how these things work - but that’s the beauty of having all those different options.”

Australian fast bowler Xavier Bartlett (3-34) was the pick of Kent’s bowlers against Middlesex while South African all-rounder Beyers Swanepoel claimed 1-27.

The pair appeared most likely to swing the match Spitfires’ way, particularly when Bartlett took two wickets in the 13th over.

Bell-Drummond said: “They have been awesome.

“Obviously, Xavier’s career is trending highly upwards and he’s showing us his class. I thought Beyers bowled really well on Sunday, as well. He’s a really good cricketer.

“He’s an all-rounder and showed his class on Sunday, getting his yorkers in. It’s good to have those two additions in with us. I know they’re enjoying it.

“Hopefully, they keep improving.”

Bell-Drummond had earlier hit 60 from 38 balls as Kent recovered from 19-2 off two overs.

He said: “It felt good.

"I really enjoy batting here in white-ball cricket and it was enjoyable to get us off to that start.

“Obviously, I had to get myself in a bit after losing two early wickets.

“It’s a place I enjoy batting and it was good to get a score.”