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Vitality Blast Preview: Kent Spitfires v Somerset
THE MATCH
Somerset travel to the Spitfire Ground, Canterbury to take on Kent Spitfires in the Vitality Blast tomorrow (Tuesday May 30th).
Play is due to get underway at 6:30pm.
Tickets for this match are still available.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can keep up to date with a live blog via our dedicated Match Centre and also on our Twitter feed.
A live stream of this match is available from Kent CCC, but there is a charge of £5.99 for this service.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
Kent Spitfires
Captain: Sam Billings
Overseas players: Kane Richardson (Australia), George Linde (South Africa)
Finals day appearances: 4
Titles: 2 (2007, 2021)
2022 finish: Ninth (South Group)
2022 highest run-scorer: Joe Denly (423)
2022 highest wicket-taker: Qais Ahmad and Grant Stewart (both 14)
Key winter moves: Darren Stevens has gone, but the nucleus of the side that won the title in 2021 before tanking a year later is basically intact. Mystery spinner Qais Ahmad was less of a mystery second time out so the Spitfires have gone for Richardson’s proven T20 pedigree. Billings is available from the start, having spurned the IPL.
TEAM NEWS
Somerset will be without Sonny Baker (back) and Craig Overton is rested for this fixture. The starting XI will be selected from the following squad: Lewis Gregory*, Tom Abell, Kasey Aldridge, Tom Banton, Shoaib Bashir, Josh Davey, Ben Green, Matt Henry, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Lammonby, Peter Siddle, Will Smeed and Roelof van der Merwe.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the game, Somerset Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: “We’ve had some good tussles with Kent over the years. Canterbury used to be something of a nemesis for us but we’ve had some good results there recently. The guys are in confident mood and we’re looking forward to the game tomorrow.
“The spirit in the camp is excellent and has been all year. We’ve had three real team performances. The first match was incredibly comprehensive and the unit bowled brilliantly. The bowlers have been outstanding in all three games and the batters have made brilliant contributions too.
“It’s great to see Bants back to his best, enjoying his cricket and playing with a freedom that we’ve seen in the past. Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Tom Abell have made important contributions and it’s important not to underestimate the contributions from Ben Green with both bat and ball.”
CLASSIC MATCH
The first time that the two sides met in T20 cricket was in the semi-final at Edgbaston in 2009.
Somerset Captain, Justin Langer won the toss and elected to bowl.
Alfonso Thomas claimed two early wickets and when Charl Willoughby accounted Geraint Jones, Kent were 31 for three in the sixth over. Darren Stevens made 77 from just 51 balls before he was run out as Kent posted a total of 145 for five from their 20 overs.
Langer and Marcus Trescothick shared an opening stand of 73 as Somerset started the chase in positive fashion.
Trescothick went on to make 56 from 32 balls and he was well supported by James Hildreth (36) and Zander de Bruyn (33) as Somerset reached their target to win by seven wickets with seven balls to spare.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
You can find out everything that you need to know about attending the game via the Official Kent Website.
NEXT MATCH
Somerset’s next match is on Friday when we welcome Middlesex to the Cooper Associates County Ground in the Vitality Blast.
Tickets for this match are still available.
