Ford calls for crowd support ahead of final three T20 group matches

THE Kent Spitfires can move a step closer to the quarter-finals of the Twenty20 Cup with victory away at the Surrey Brown Caps tomorrow evening. The Spitfires have taken nine points from their seven group matches and sit joint second in the table – three points behind leaders Sussex Sharks but with two games in hand on their South Coast rivals.

Kent seam bowler Robbie Joseph is fit again and comes into the squad for the trip to The Brit Oval. Spinner Charlie Hemphrey is also in the 13-man squad with batsman James Hockley dropping out of contention.

Kent“s Director of Cricket, Graham Ford (pictured), is clearly looking forward to the game: ‘Matches at The Oval are always special. They always prepare good wickets and we know that it will be tough because the Brown Caps are a good side in their own back garden. They have some fantastic players; you only have to look at their squad. They have powerful batters and a good bowling attack with plenty of variation.“

Kent still have to play Surrey twice, home and away, so results against the Brown Caps will be crucial in determining whether the side qualifies for the last eight of the T20 Cup. Ford is pleased with the form so far in this competition and now wants one final push from his Spitfires: ‘The boys are performing well in Twenty20 cricket. Darren Stevens produced an excellent innings at Tunbridge Wells and it was good to see Keysy (Rob Key) get a good innings under his belt. We have a talented group of players and it promises to be an exciting final three matches. As I“ve often said, the crowd can play a massive part so please back us in your numbers and help the boys make the quarter-finals.“

The 13-man Kent Spitfires squad for the trip to The Brit Oval is as follows: Key (C), Denly, Jones (W), van Jaarsveld, Stevens, Kemp, Mahmood, McLaren, Tredwell, Cook, Joseph, Khan, Hemphrey

Kent have the following three matches left to play in the Twenty20 Cup: South Division:

Date Opponents Venue Start time

Wednesday, June 24 Surrey Brown Caps The Brit Oval 17.30

Friday, June 26 Hampshire Hawks The Rose Bowl19.00

Sunday, June 28 Surrey Brown Caps Beckenham14.30

Tickets are still available for our one remaining home T20 group match, against the Surrey Brown Caps at Beckenham. To book your tickets for the game, or find out further information, please call 01227 456886 or visit the official Kent website; www.kentccc.com.

Picture courtesy of Sarah Ansell