Kent Spitfires v Hampshire (Thursday, 11am)

Wednesday 26th April 2017

Men’s First Team

Metro Bank One Day Cup

Kent Spitfires v Hampshire (Thursday, 11am)

Kent start the Royal London One-Day Cup campaign against Hampshire at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence on Thursday (11am start).

Skipper Sam Northeast is hoping the Spitfires can repeat their run to the knockout stages for a fourth successive season and reach the Lord’s final on Saturday 1 July.

The 27-year-old Ashford-born batsman said: “We’re looking forward to it. The FGS Plant Tour to the West Indies this winter means we’ve played more 50-over cricket than any other county.

“We’ve done well in this competition in the last few years and I’m confident we can go well again.

“Our start in the Specsavers County Championship gives us a winning mentality and momentum for this block of games although the guys will need to get to grips with the different skills and challenges in this format.”

A sequence of eight matches in 20 days will decide their qualification hopes with home 50-over matches next Friday and Sunday (May 5 and 7) against Sussex Sharks and Middlesex to come before the final group game on Wednesday 17 May against Essex Eagles.

Kent Spitfires squad: 17 Sam Northeast (c), 23 Daniel Bell-Drummond, 6 Joe Denly, 10 Alex Blake, 58 Sean Dickson, 24 Will Gidman, 3 Darren Stevens, 12 Adam Rouse (wk), 36 Wayne Parnell, 26 Matt Coles, 4 James Harris, 15 James Tredwell, 8 Mitch Claydon.

Hampshire squad: 14 James Vince (c), 15 Michael Carberry, 4 Jimmy Adams, 9 Tom Alsop, 2 Will Smith, 18 Lewis McManus (wk), 7 Sean Ervine, 8 Liam Dawson, 32 Mason Crane, 25 Chris Wood, 6 Reece Topley, 28 Asher Hart, Ian Holland

Kent Spitfires v Hampshire stats:

  • Kent Spitfires have won three successive matches against Hampshire.
  • Hampshire have claimed victories in five of their last six visits to Kent however (L1).
  • Hampshire won four of their last six outings on the road ahead of this contest (L2).
  • Matt Coles (Kent Spitfires) took a competition-high 24 wickets last season; he took 6/56 when his side took on Hampshire last summer, his best figures of the campaign.

Head-to-head record (completed List A matches):

  • Kent won 35, lost 21.