TW100: Kent name squad to face Hampshire at The Nevill

Kent have named a 12 man squad ahead of their LV= County Championship match against Hampshire at The Nevill. This match has special significance for Kent as it marks 'TW100', the 100th Cricket Festival held at The Nevill Ground in Tunbridge Wells.

Kent will be buoyed bytheir recentdemolition of Leicestershire at Canterbury. The innings and 279 run win, collecting 22 points to boot, was a clinical display by Kent as they stretched this season’s unbeaten run to seven games in the LV= CC. On a decent batting wicket, the visitors won the toss and quite rightly took first use, but they were soon routed; inside 54 overs. Seamer Charlie Shreck ripped out the top-order, claiming three victims in eleven balls, before the ever improving Matt Coles scythed through the rest – returning 5-41 as Leicestershire were dismissed for just 141.

Hampshire, in their previous championship outing, were also victorious – albeit in less comfortable fashion. Glamorgan were the visitors to the Rose Bowl but it was the home side who posted 316 batting first. Sean Ervine was the star of the innings, scoring an unbeaten 109, as he and former Kent-loanee David Balcombe (39) added 85 for the last wicket to claim valuable extra bonus points.

Promotion is high on the agenda for both counties, making this clash a crucial one for everyone involved.

Opening batsman Scott Newman returned to parent club Middlesex, following the expiry of his loan-spell at the end of May andSam Northeast looks set to continue his run at the top of the order alongside Rob Key. Sam Billings inclusion in the squad follows his impressive performance in Friday's floodlit CB40 match against Warwickshire Bears. Billings drove and pulled the ball with high promise to reach his maiden one-day half-century in only 46 balls, with eight fours.

Click here for the full Kent Cricket Match Preview

The full squad to face Hampshire at Tunbridge Wells will be:

Rob Key (c)

Sam Northeast

Sam Billings

Ben Harmison

Brendan Nash

Mike Powell

Darren Stevens

Geraint Jones

James Tredwell

Matt Coles

Mark Davies

Charlie Shreck

Can there be anything more precious in the county cricket calendar than the festival cricket weeks? Marquees, hospitality packages, large crowds, beer tents, champagne and a special intimacy between players and spectators make any cricket week an event to savour. Join us at The Nevill this week for the 100th Tunbridge Wells Cricket Festival.

Save by pre-purchasing tickets online in advance (until gates open two hours before play is scheduled to commence)– click here for tickets. Tickets are also available on the gate.

To celebrate this 100th Cricket Festival, a full colourofficial Kent Cricket TW100 souvenir brochure is available, priced £3.