AN ASPHIXIATING bowling performance from Kent Spitfires stifled the Surrey Lions’ roar in the Friends Life T20 yesterday at Beckenham.

On a blissfully sunny day, Kent sauntered to an eight-wicket victory by chasing down Surrey’s 116 with 22 balls to spare.

The Lions, who were without Aussie paceman Dirk Nannes or England duo Chris Tremlett and Kevin Pietersen, had already played and won two in the competition but never found their stride.

Skipper Rob Key was happy to get the T20 phase going with a win after a washout earlier in the week.

He said: “They were on a bit of a roll, so it was nice to put in a decent performance in our first game.

“You don't really have a plan in T20, but I would have taken 116. You don't quite know how it is going to go with your bowlers – some days they'll get smoked, some days they won't.

“Today was a good day.”

A hungry Kent struck with the first ball as Jason Roy was caught by Key off the bowling of Mark Davies and the Spitfires scarcely relented thereafter.

After the powerplay, Surrey were pinned back to 25-2 and only a gutsy unbeaten 53 from Gary Wilson, who was twice dropped, made the score competitive.

All-rounder Darren Stevens said: “They put themselves under pressure, played poor shots and didn’t really assess the pitch.

“We just played smart cricket.”

Bexley boy Adam Ball took two cheap wickets, while England spinner James Tredwell constricted the run rate.

Pakistan star Azhar Mahmood bowled finely at the death with a peach of a yorker rattling Gareth Batty’s off stump with the last ball.

Kent knocked the runs off easily with a captain’s innings from Key, who was trouble-free in his unbeaten 51.

Beckenham-raised Key added: “The batters had the easy job, the bowlers were the ones that won us the game.

“My mum and dad don’t often get to see me play these days, so it was nice for them to see me play and score some runs, which doesn’t always happen.”

Stevens wasn’t scared of biffing it, plundering four sixes in his 43 not out, including a big one down the ground to seal victory.

A decent crowd made the most of the sunshine, the majority lapping up a home victory.

Stevens added: “The atmosphere is awesome.

“It was packed, it was 10 deep all the way round the ground.

“The Spitfire bus was packed, the tents were busy. It was a great atmosphere.

“We love playing up here, we really enjoy it.”

Kent coach Jimmy Adams said: “It was the biggest crowd we have had all season, so it was good to have that support.

“We are very happy with the ground.

“Thankfully the weather held and we got some cricket.”