Kent Spitfires v Sussex Sharks (Fri, 7pm)
Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is set to make his Kent debut in the Vitality Blast on Friday (27 July) at The Spitfire Ground against Sussex, six years since playing for the club’s second XI.
The hard-hitting, seam-bowling all-rounder has signed for the rest of the T20 season and is glad to be back in familiar surroundings.
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Stoinis said: “It’s good to be back after six years away and I’m surprised how familiar it feels. I played with Ivan Thomas and Sam Billings so it’s good to see them again.
“Back then, I was between contracts with Western Australia and Victoria and played some good cricket here and things started moving from there.
“It helped shape me as a cricketer and a person. I remember travelling around the country by train to bowl in the nets at Australia A, play club cricket in Northants and then come here to play second XI matches.
“I was very keen to come over again and had a couple of offers but Kent is familiar for me and I’ve stayed in touch with Sam since my time here and become good mates.
“It’s good timing to understand the grounds and the conditions over here before next year’s World Cup.”
The 28-year-old is hoping to contribute with bat and ball during his stint in county cricket.
“I just love being in the game. I want to bowl, bat and field. I want to bowl my four overs, take wickets and change the game for the team.
“That’s the beauty of being an all-rounder. You’re under the pump but it gives you a chance to get involved in the game.”
England T20 paceman Tymal Mills returns for the visitors’ 15-man squad with New Zealand’s Tom Bruce and Afghan spinner Rashid Khan the overseas players for the Sharks.
Kent Spitfires squad: 7 Sam Billings (c/wk), 23 Daniel Bell-Drummond, 10 Alex Blake, 6 Joe Denly, 58 Sean Dickson, 25 Calum Haggett, 4 Heino Kuhn, 20 Adam Milne, 1 Harry Podmore, 11 Imran Qayyum, 17 Marcus Stoinis, 5 Ivan Thomas, 8 Mitch Claydon.
Sussex Sharks squad: 10. Luke Wright (c), 22. Jofra Archer, 18. Will Beer, 21. Danny Briggs, 42. Tom Bruce, 5. Michael Burgess (wk), 32. Laurie Evans, 8. Chris Jordan, 1. Rashid Khan, 7. Tymal Mills, 9. Delray Rawlins, 25. Ollie Robinson, 28. Phil Salt, 96. David Wiese
Use the promo code DOCKYARD at www.kentcricketshop.co.uk to claim a free voucher for a Dockyard Gin (courtesy of Copper Rivet Distillery) served with Schweppes tonic.
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Stat attack
- Joe Denly (3,083) requires 46 more runs to become Kent’s highest T20 run-scorer of all-time
- Kent have won 13 of 24 T20 matches against Sussex with nine defeats, one tie and a no result
- Sussex have never shared a century partnership in T20 cricket against Kent
- The only tie between the sides came at Hove last summer when Alex Blake ran out Laurie Evans off the last ball of an eight-over reply
Gates open at 5pm. Parking is available tomorrow at the nearby Simon Langton Girls Grammar (CT1 3EW) for £10 or at the New Dover Road Park and Ride for £3.50 per day with a low-floor bus dropping outside the main pedestrian entrance to the ground.
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Join kmfm’s Andy Walker at the match tomorrow who will out in the crowd meeting supporters. Tweet or tag @kentcricket on Instagram using the hashtag #SuperKent from your seat to see yourself on the big screen!
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Every ball of Kent’s season is covered on the BBC Sport website and app.
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Their Rainbow Laces campaign is designed to build awareness and understanding of the issues affecting LGBT people in sport, and how organisations can help ensure all sports offer an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. The ECB will be providing rainbow coloured shoelaces and flags to all teams and the stumps will have rainbow stripes. Click here for more details >