Bride and gloom

By Chris Charles

For batter or worse?

Kent captain Robert Key has been catching the eye of the Ashes selectors with the bat, but when it comes to getting married his fiancee has been left firmly on the back foot.

Key was originally due to get hitched at the beginning of the month but called it off when he noticed the date clashed with an England A game he might be selected for.

A prudent decision as it turned out, with the 27-year-old smashing a century in the draw with Pakistan.

Since then his fiancee, Fleur, has arranged a handful of new dates, but each time cricket has reared its ugly head and Key has been forced to pull out.

"It has been a nightmare," he told BBC Five Live Sport.

"When she told me the original date I saw there was an England A fixture coming up and I thought it was touch and go whether I'd be playing so I said we'd better call that off.

"Then, having seen Kent's 20-20 performances, she obviously didn't think we were going to qualify from the group, and booked the next date for the same day as the quarter-final round.

It's proving a bit tough at the moment! Robert Key

"I think Fleur was the only person down at Canterbury last week not wanting us to go through!

"As it turned out, we realised we could still get married if we won the group and got a home draw. But we didn't and instead we've got to go to Leicester on 24 July - so unfortunately I can't make that date either!"

Key said the couple had originally planned to tie the knot in the close-season, but his fiancee is due to give birth in September.

"We thought we'd get a quick wedding so we've both got the same name when the baby comes but it's proving a bit tough at the moment!" he admitted.

A further appointment with the registrar came and went when careless Key double-booked with a spot of TV commentary but a determined Fleur is refusing to give up.

"She phoned me earlier to tell me another date," he said, before adding sheepishly: "But I've forgotten it already."

Former England spinner Phil Tufnell said: "He's got a very understanding fiancee. It's cost me three marriages, playing cricket. He wants to keep hold of that one!"