Key not fazed after tempers flare

Robert Key led last year's runners-up Kent to a Twenty20 Cup win in 2007

Kent captain Rob Key says the heated exchanges at the end of his side's one-run Twenty20 Cup win over Surrey proves how much the players want to win it.

Tempers frayed at The Oval on Wednesday night when Andre Nel and Ryan McLaren collided in the final over.

Kent's Geraint Jones and Surrey's Jade Dernbach then had an angry exchange of words following the collision.

"It shows they're human and it proves they care. Emotions were running pretty high," Key told BBC Radio Kent.

"It's hard because you always want people to be role models. But it's such an intense game and there's so much riding on it.

"To be fair, Jade Dernbach was saying 'Don't worry about it mate, just calm down, it's not worth it'. And I thought he was probably right.

"You want people to behave impeccably all the time, but sometimes it's nice for people to see professional sportsmen desperately trying to win."

There has already been one moment of drama when, at the end of the penultimate over, Kent were handed a six-run penalty for a slow over rate.

Chasing Kent's total of 168-6, that reduced Surrey's asking rate to just eight off the final over.

"The problem is we started taking wickets," said Key. "And, as soon as you start taking wickets you've got to wait for the bloke to come in and it's hard work.

You want people to behave impeccably all the time, but sometimes it's nice for people to see professional sportsmen desperately trying to win Rob Key

"But," he smiled, "it made it interesting, didn't it?

"We did really well because 70 off the first six overs was a great start for them. There's not many times a side gets that and doesn't chase down 170. It's an electric game Twenty20."

It was a disappointing game for Kent fast bowler Robbie Joseph, who three no-balls and a wide in his two overs, his first eight legal deliveries costing 32 runs.

But Key insisted he would not be dropping Joseph for the next game against Hampshire.

"He got Mark Ramprakash out first ball, but it obviously didn't go quite as well from there," said Key.

"I just keep asking people to be patient with him, especially the members and people who watch. Not to get on his back because he got 60-odd wickets last year."

Kent, winners in 2007 and runners-up to Middlesex a year ago, now go into their next game against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl on Friday night (1730 BST) second in their group.

They then face Surrey again in the return at Beckenham on the final Sunday (1730 BST).

"It's frustrating how tough a group the South Division is," said Key, "because there's some very good sides in it.

"You almost feel if you get through your group you deserve to be in finals day straight away."

BBC Radio Kent will have commentary on both matches on 774 MW, DAB Digital Radio and at bbc.co.uk/kent