Kent head coach Matt Walker insists Alex Blake can be one of the top T20 players in the country this summer.

The 30-year-old struck 57 off 38 deliveries, including four sixes, to seal victory for the Spitfires against Hampshire with one ball remaining on Sunday.

Blake hit successive sixes in the final over as he took the 16 runs Kent required to win with one ball to spare.

Walker said: “We all know in white-ball cricket, certainly in T20, that he can be extremely effective.

“For whatever reason the red-ball side (of his game) hasn’t quite kicked on like we thought it would do but he’s spent a lot of time prepping for white-ball cricket.

“We’ve kept him away from second team red-ball to give him a bit of a head start and it looks like it was good decision to do that.

“He’s one of the best around when he plays like that.

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“You always want consistency, sometimes T20 doesn’t allow it but that’s the next stage, for him to become a consistent match winner. He’s definitely got it in him.

“He’s got such skill and genius, there aren’t many around the country that can do what he can do.

“Hopefully that is a real catalyst for him to go on and play a big role in the tournament.”

Meanwhile, Heino Kuhn has returned to the Kent squad ahead of Friday's T20 Blast clash against Essex at Canterbury.

The South African missed the opening two games due to concussion protocol after being struck on the neck by a Fidel Edwards delivery during last week’s County Championship draw with Hampshire.

Walker added: “We just had to double check everything was fine.

“He’s a very important part of this team. Although he didn’t get the bulk of runs last season, he was very important.

“It was amazing how he came in. Whether it was the back end of the power play or at the start, he just kept momentum going and was able to raise the run rate which is what we’ve struggled with in the past.

“He’s a fantastic run scorer in that format, obviously, along with what he adds in the field.

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“We’ll have to make some tough decisions, Sam Billings is not a million miles away, either. You want competition and people fighting for a spot.

“It’s the same with the bowlers, with Matt Milnes, Grant Stewart and Calum Haggett all wanting to play. It’s difficult.

“You have to go with what you think is the best team.

“It’s good that we’ve got a good squad because it’s quite a long competition and you can get the odd injury or lack of confidence.”

Kent travel to The Oval on Tuesday to face Surrey in the T20 Blast (6.30pm).

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