Derbyshire v Kent (Tues, 10.30am)

Monday 18th September 2017

Men’s First Team

County Championship Div 2

Derbyshire v Kent (Tues, 10.30am)

Fast-bowling all-rounder Grant Stewart could make his first-team debut in the Specsavers County Championship against Derbyshire at Chesterfield on Tuesday (10.30am).

The 23-year-old signed his first professional contract last month and earns an opportunity to impress after taking 29 wickets for the second XI and another 30 for Sandwich Town in the Shepherd Neame Kent Premier League.

Kent’s new number nine said: “This is the first time I’ve been involved with a professional set-up and everyone has been really welcoming and helpful, but they’ve also helped me to develop my bowling.

“Growing up I was more of a batsman but it’s my bowling that’s come on more in recent years.

“When you’re coming through the junior ranks talent gets you some of the way, but it’s working on plans and the mental side of the game with guys like Matt Walker, Min Patel and Mark Ealham that has helped me the most.

“Mitch and Darren Stevens have chipped in too and the more you bat and bowl the better you seem to get.”

Pacemen Mitch Claydon, Matt Coles and Adam Milne are rested so there could be an opportunity for Stewart, Will Gidman and Matt Hunn.

Academy scholar Ollie Robinson travels as cover for wicketkeeper Sam Billings.

The hosts will be without captain Billy Godleman who suffered a broken hand at Hove last week. Ireland batsman Gary Wilson will lead the side on his return from international duty.

Leg spinner Imran Tahir returns to action for Derbyshire after playing for the World XI in Pakistan last week.

Derbyshire squad: 10 Luis Reece, 26 Ben Slater, 77 Wayne Madsen, 18 Alex Hughes, 20 Matt Critchley, 2 Callum Brodrick, 9 Gary Wilson (c), 16 Harvey Hosein (wk), 28 Tony Palladino, 7 Hardus Viljoen, 44 Will Davis, 25 Harry Podmore, 75 Hamidullah Qadri, 99 Imran Tahir.

Kent squad: 23 Daniel Bell-Drummond, 58 Sean Dickson, 6 Joe Denly, 17 Sam Northeast (c), 7 Sam Billings (wk), 16 Zak Crawley, 3 Darren Stevens, 42 Will Gidman, 25 Calum Haggett, 9 Grant Stewart, 15 James Tredwell, 11 Imran Qayyum, 14 Matt Hunn, Oliver Robinson.

Derbyshire v Kent stats:

  • Kent have lost just one of their last eight against Derbyshire (W4, D3).
  • At Queen’s Park however Derbyshire are unbeaten in four against Kent (W1, D3), the Spitfires last winning at the venue in 1979.
  • After beating Sussex in their last game Derbyshire are looking for back to back County Championship wins for the first time since their final two games of the 2014 season.
  • Darren Stevens is one of just two players to score 500 runs and take 50 wickets in either Division this season (673 runs, 57 wickets). Jofra Archer is the other (537 runs 58 wickets).