Norfolk played the Spitfires last August in what was an excellent day of cricket, and it should be no different again this time.

It will be the third time Norfolk have played Kent - the first was in the third round of the 2002 Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy at Manor Park, Horsford.

The Spitfires are treating the match as ideal preparation ahead of the Men’s Metro Bank One Day Cup, which begins for them on Friday with a home match at Canterbury against Northamptonshire Steelbacks who won the T20 Blast at Edgbaston on Saturday when they defeated Hampshire Hawks in the final.

Previously, the Spitfires have faced Suffolk, Hertfordshire and most recently Bedfordshire in the showcase fixtures – Kent winning by 57 runs (DLS) in Dunstable in 2024, with Beyers Swanepoel making 120 opening the batting, Harry Finch scoring 97, and Jas Singh taking 4-70.

In last year's encounter, the Spitfires beat Norfolk by 42 runs, with Finch again excelling with a blistering 122 that contained 11 sixes. Charlie Hood top-scored for Norfolk with 37 and Arthur Wilcox had figures of 2-8 from five overs.

Head coach Adam Hollioake, the former England player, has named a strong Spitfires squad. They will be captained by Daniel Bell-Drummond, who has played for Birmingham Phoenix and London Spirit in the Hundred. He is one of only six players to have scored a century in all three formats of England’s domestic competition for Kent. Sam Northeast is a former captain who returned to the county after spells with Hampshire and Glamorgan where he was club captain and scored 410 not out in a county championship game in 2022.

Simon Cook, director of cricket at Kent said: "Norfolk were fantastic hosts for us last year and we’re looking forward to returning. The game provides an excellent opportunity for our players to push their case for first-team selection ahead of the upcoming one-day season, while also strengthening the positive relationship between the two counties.

"Norfolk do a brilliant job with these showcase fixtures, and they provide a valuable experience for both players and supporters, so we’re delighted to be involved again.”

Norfolk include three players from the Lions squad who are making their first team debuts with an eye to the future. Enoch Uthayarajan, a batsman who plays for Norwich, club team-mate paceman Max Brister and Brooke’s Jayden Borges.

Norfolk head coach Tom New said: "We are delighted to be playing the Spitfires again and it is a great opportunity for the three youngsters to make their debuts against first-class opposition. It will be a big day for them in front of a good crowd. We have every confidence in their ability. Kent were excellent guests last year and we are looking forward to a superb day.”

The festival continues with two three-day Cluberly County Championship games against Bedfordshire on July 26y and Cumbria on August 2. It concludes on August 9 when Norfolk host the NCCA T20 Super 12s, with Bedfordshire and Shropshire the visitors.

Norfolk: Sam Arthurton (cpt), Freddie Fairey, Enoch Uthayarajan, Ben Wilcox, Charlie Hood (wkt), Jonah Wicks, Arthur Wilcox, Hami Qadri, Nathan Muggeridge, Jayden Borges, Max Brister.

Kent Spitfires: Ben Compton, Ekansh Singh, Grant Stewart, Chris Benjamin (wkt), Sam Northeast, Jas Singh, Corey Flintoff, Daniel Bell-Drummond (cpt), Matt Parkinson, Joey Evison, Jaydn Denly, Matthew Quinn, Harry Finch.