Match Preview: Kent Spitfires v Hampshire Royals FLt20, Monday 29 July

Kent Spitfires v Hampshire Royals

Friends Life t20, Monday 29th July

The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence

Kent look for FL t20 double as Hampshire come to the county this Monday. After a morale boosting win against the Hampshire Royals in the reverse fixture, the Kent Spitfires will hope to complete the double against the competition holders under the lights at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence on Monday evening.

Pre-match chat:

Kent captain James Tredwell is a doubt for this game with his on-going ankle problem: “The injury is getting there but we are taking it slowly. I did it in the reverse fixture at the Ageas Bowl. I anticipated a sweep shot from Neil McKenzie and he got a bottom edge. All of my weight was on my other side and it meant I rolled my ankle.”

Kent have given some of their promising youngsters a chance to impress in recent matches and opener Fabian Cowdrey struck a half-century at Surrey on Friday night. Tredwell was quick to play up his contribution but didn't want to neglect the displays shown by some of the other young players: “Their performances have certainly opened our eyes. Fabian has come in and performed really well. Not only is it his performances but the manner in which he has done it. Daniel Bell-Drummond has also done well, without getting that big score. He has got starts and will hope to go on in one of the two remaining matches. Sam Billings has also played well in the last three matches.”

Kent have two Friends Life t20 group matches remaining and Tredwell is keen to end the competition on a high: “We played poorly in our first five matches but we wanted to put it right and get something from our last five. We have started well and done that with a couple of victories. We've also found out a bit about our players in the process. They've performed under pressure and shown some good things that will stand us in good stead moving forward.”

The Kent Spitfires' squad for this match will be announced here on the Club website in due course.

The season so far:

An unbroken partnership of 79 in 10 overs between former Kent favourite Azhar Mahmood and Zafar Ansari helped Surrey record a five-wicket success against Kent at the Kia Oval on Friday night.

Mahmood finished undefeated on 47 with three sixes and three fours in all, while Ansari ended unbeaten on 30.

Earlier in the match, talented youngsters Fabian Cowdrey and Sam Billings added 60 for the second wicket in just over seven overs.

Cowdrey hit six fours in a 46-ball half-century while Billings made 28 from 25 balls. Darren Stevens then hit an unbeaten 29 – from just 19 balls – as Kent posted 139 for four from their 20 overs – a total Surrey went on to reach with just five balls to spare.

The defeat for Kent leaves them on four points with two group matches to play.

Previous meetings:

In the fixture between these two at Canterbury last season, some belligerent hitting from Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell helped Hampshire to victory. Having earlier claimed two wickets, the Australian struck an unbeaten 66 – from just 32-balls – that helped earn his side the points.

Earlier in the day, Darren Stevens hit 60 as Kent posted 135 for six but Maxwell – who played for Surrey in this year's competition – held his nerve to see his side through to victory.

Tickets

It's not too late to secure your tickets to Monday's eagerly anticipated match – Kent's final home Friends Life t20 match of the 2013 season. The Club are currently running a fantastic 6 for 4 group ticket package for the fixture – click here for more information.

There are also generous discounts for individual pre-purchase tickets until 9pm on Sunday night – click here to book