Match Preview: England Lions vs. Australia XI

As the 2019 Specsavers Ashes series draws ever closer, Test-capped and first-class players from both England and Australia will face-off at The Spitfire Ground, St. Lawrence as England Lions take on an Australia XI from this Sunday.

Kent opener Zak Crawley is in line to make his first appearance for the Lions, who are captained by Somerset all-rounder Lewis Gregory and boast Test-capped players in Gregory’s Somerset teammate Jack Leach, as well as Surrey’s Sam Curran and Ben Foakes.

Originally named “Australia A”, the touring Australia four-day side are boosted by the return of Test-capped players Mitchell Marsh, Peter Handscomb and Matthew Wade, who although were originally selected as part of the Australia A tour of England, were called up to Australia’s World Cup squad as injury cover.

As such, Cricket Australia have agreed to a request to rename the side to face England Lions from Australia A to ‘Australia XI’, owing to the number of Test players due to feature.

After three victories in List A appearances against other English counties, the touring Australian side come to Canterbury fresh from a ten wicket four-day victory over Sussex, where Kent’s Adam Rouse kept wicket as a guest player. Australian Test openers Joe Burns and Marcus Harris put on a 214-run opening stand to put Australia A in a commanding position and secure the win.

England Lions four-day squad in full

• Lewis Gregory (Captain) (Somerset) (All-rounder – 82 first-class games, 2371 runs @ 21.91, 253 wickets @ 25.66)
• James Bracey (Gloucestershire) (Batsman – 31 first-class games, 1702 runs @ 35.45)
• Zak Crawley (Kent) (Opening batsman – 31 first-class games, 1738 runs @ 33.42)
• Sam Curran (Surrey) (Test all-rounder – 9 Tests, 454 runs @ 32.42, 15 wickets @ 34.20)
• Ben Foakes (Surrey) (Test wicketkeeper-batsman – 5 Tests, 332 runs @ 41.50, 10 catches, 2 stumpings)
• Sam Hain (Warwickshire) (Batsman – 70 first-class games, 3606runs @ 36.06)
• Jack Leach (Somerset) (Test bowler – 4 Tests, 20 wickets @ 24.90)
• Sam Northeast (Hampshire) (Batsman – 158 first-class games, 9993 runs @ 39.81)
• Jamie Porter (Essex) (Bowler – 79 first-class games, 317 wickets @ 24.98)
• Ollie Robinson (Sussex) (Bowler – 50 first-class matches, 205 wickets @ 22.71)
• Dom Sibley (Warwickshire) (Opening batsman – 61 first-class matches, 3709 runs @ 39.04)

Australia XI four-day squad in full

• Tim Paine (Captain) (Tasmania) (Australia’s Test captain – 21 Tests, 984 runs @ 35.14, 87 catches, 5 stumpings)
• Jackson Bird (Tasmania) (Bowler – 9 Tests, 34 wickets @ 30.64)
• Joe Burns (Queensland) (Test opener – 16 Tests, 1123 runs @ 40.10)
• Peter Handscomb (Victoria) (Test wicketkeeper-batsman – 16 Tests, 934 runs @ 38.91, 28 catches)
• Marcus Harris (Victoria) (Current Test opener – 6 Tests, 327 runs @ 32.70)
• Josh Hazlewood (New South Wales) (Test bowler – 44 Tests, 164 wickets @ 27.14)
• Travis Head (South Australia) (Batsman – 8 Tests, 663 runs @ 51.00)
• Jon Holland (Victoria) (Bowler – 4 Tests, 9 wickets @ 63.77)
• Mitchell Marsh (Western Australia) (Test all-rounder – 31 Tests, 1219 runs @ 25.39, 35 wickets @ 43.91)
• Michael Neser (Queensland) (All-rounder – 44 first-class games, 1572 runs @ 26.64, 135 wickets @ 28.14)
• Kurtis Patterson (New South Wales) (Batsman – 2 Tests, 144 runs @ 144.00)
• James Pattinson (Victoria) (Test bowler – 17 Tests, 70 wickets @ 26.15)
• Will Pucovski (Victoria) (Batsman – 14 first-class games, 939 runs @ 42.68)
• Chris Tremain (New South Wales) (Bowler – 56 first-class games, 221 wickets @ 23.43)
• Matthew Wade (Tasmania) (Test wicketkeeper – 22 Tests, 886 runs @ 28.58, 63 catches, 11 stumpings)

All stats correct as of 12/07/19

Things you need to know

Live streaming

• Due to territorial broadcasting rights, we will NOT be live streaming this fixture

Getting here

• The Spitfire Ground, St. Lawrence in Canterbury enjoys good travel links with London and the rest of Kent
• Full travel information can be found here

Cricket World Cup Final

• We will be showing the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Final on televisions around the ground – we recommend  the Cornwallis Room in the Colin Cowdrey Stand to view the game. There is no extra charge for the Colin Cowdrey Stand.

Parking

• There will be no public pay-on-the-gate or life member on-site parking (excluding pre-paid parking pass holders & blue badge holders) and no parking at Simon Langton Girls’ School
• On-site parking for blue badge holders costs £15 for the day and cannot be booked in advance
• We highly recommend use of the New Dover Road Park & Ride – CT1 3EL (£3.50 per day) – More information here

Tickets

• We recommend that you pre-buy your tickets before gates open at 10am to enjoy £5 off the gate price
• Tickets will be available on the gate for £25
• ALL Kent members and package holders do not need to purchase additional tickets as this fixture is covered in all types
• This fixture counts as one day in the Six Pack package

Food & Drink

• Spectators are allowed to bring in their own food and drink
• Four cans of beer OR a bottle of wine per person are allowed
• Re-entry into the ground with alcohol is not permitted

Concessions

• Ice Cream stand
• A concessions stand selling burgers, hot dogs, breakfast items cakes, and barista coffee also with a range of iced coffees now
• Naughty Egg – a local Canterbury eatery
• Les Ames bar will be serving fish and chips, including child’s portions
• Cornwallis Room – carvery roast with child portions available

Wet Weather Policy

• Sadly cricket matches are sometimes adversely affected by rain and play can be stopped
• On all occasions we aim to be totally fair and transparent with ticket purchasers and so the following offer is in line with our stated policy
• View the club’s Wet Weather Policy here

Blast is back! Kent Spitfires get their T20 campaign underway with a home tie against Somerset at The Spitfire Ground, St. Lawrence next Saturday, 20th July from 19:00

Buy tickets in advance to any home Kent Spitfires fixture to save £5 on gate prices >>>