Stevens: Lord’s final is the aim
Thursday 17th May 2018
All-rounder Darren Stevens says a Lord’s final is the aim as Kent Spitfires bid to bounce back in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
The 42-year-old said the squad are focussed on improvement in the format at the tournament’s national launch at Lord’s, the venue for the showpiece 50-over match on July 30.
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Stevens hit a club record 147 at Swansea in last year’s One-Day Cup and is aiming to contribute again in a tough South Group.
Kent’s number 3 said: “Ever since my debut back in 1996 at Chelmsford in a white-ball game, I have always prided myself on it. It makes you relax and you feel like you can play your shots a bit. I thrive on it really.
“The big thing is getting to Lord’s, that’s the ultimate place for us as professional cricketers and from all around the world.
“We obviously talk about all the competitions but, I have been fortunate to be at Lord’s a few times.
“It’s really important to make a fast start, it comes thick and fast over the next month and with only eight Group games.”
Kent Spitfires’ opening home One-Day match is against Glamorgan next Friday (25 May) at The Spitfire Ground before Somerset come to Canterbury on Tuesday 29 May (2pm).
There’s also a double-header at The County Ground, Beckenham against Surrey (Friday 1 June) and Gloucestershire (Sunday 3 June). All matches start at 11am unless stated with gates opening an hour before.