Match Preview: Kent Spitfires vs. Sussex Sharks
Kent Spitfires’ final home match of the Vitality Blast group stages takes place when Sussex Sharks visit The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.
A new-look Spitfires squad will go into this match fresh from a dominating performance against Middlesex at Lord’s on Friday, reducing their hosts to 80 all-out – the lowest T20 total ever against Kent.
Elliot Hooper was named Spitfire Kent Player of the Match with figures of 3-24 on his professional T20 debut, whilst Harry Finch, formerly of Sussex and also on the back of a Championship hundred against his old county, top-scored with a career-best 47.
Kent’s Scottish international contingent of Calum MacLeod, George Munsey and Safyaan Sharif are all in-line to make their home Kent Spitfires debuts.
Tickets
Any remaining tickets, and tickets that our Members have returned to us after they can no longer attend, are on general sale until gates open at 16:30 on Sunday 18 July. As more tickets are released/returned, they will be available to purchase.
Click here to check for Kent Spitfires vs. Sussex Sharks ticket availability >>>
We urge any Members that have booked Vitality Blast tickets and do not intend to use them to contact the Club as soon as possible, so that they may be made available to their fellow supporters.
Tickets will not be available on the gate.
Last time out
Elliot Hooper enjoyed a dream debut as Kent routed Middlesex for their lowest ever Vitality Blast score of 80 at Lord’s.
Thee 25-year-old left-armer, one of seven debutants for the visitors because of a COVID-19 outbreak, took 3-24 in the 77-run victory – the hosts failing to reach their previous worst tally of 92 made against Surrey at Lord’s eight years ago.
Fellow Spitfires T20 debutants Matt Quinn, Safyaan Sharif and Marcus O’Riordan were also among the wickets, all this after Harry Finch top scored with 47 and Heino Kuhn made 42 in Kent’s total of 157-8, Blake Cullen taking 4-33.
Opposition report
The Sharks will be out to right wrongs after suffering their first defeat against rivals Hampshire Hawks in nine meetings between the two sides, dubbed ‘El Classicoast’.
Afghanistan international leg-spinner Rashid Khan is also available for Sussex, after re-joining the Sharks for their final two group matches.
The visitors are currently third in the Vitality Blast South Group with one match to play, and will need a victory to ensure their qualification for the knockout stages without relying on other results.
Openers Phil Salt (266) and Luke Wright (267) lead the way with the bat for the Sharks, both averaging over 44.00 this season, whilst veteran Ravi Bopara also has 209 runs in 10 matches at 41.80.
Specialist fast bowler Tymal Mills is Sussex’s top T20 wicket taker this season so far, with 11 at 15.27. Left-armer George Garton has eight wickets wickets with an economy rate of just 6.62, and 16-year-old leg spinner Archie Lenham also has 10 wickets.
Sussex Sharks squad in full: Luke Wright (Captain), Will Beer, Ravi Bopara, Oli Carter, Mitchell Claydon, Henry Crocombe, Travis Head, Rashid Khan, Archie Lenham, Ali Orr, Delray Rawlins, Ollie Robinson, Phil Salt, Harrison Ward, David Wiese
Return of spectators
It’s our top priority to welcome you back to The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, and to do that safely, we all have a role to play.
Because COVID-19 remains a part of our lives for the time-being – everyone – including the players, officials, staff, stewards and Members – will need to adhere to COVID-protocols to make the return of spectators a successful, and hopefully a permanent one.
All the information you need to adhere to the Club’s COVID-protocols upon your return to watching the Kent Spitfires live can be found in the below Match Day Information Pack:
Live Streaming
Kent Spitfires vs. Sussex Sharks will be streamed via Kent Cricket’s Official YouTube channel, and embedded into the Match Centre on the Kent Cricket website.
Team News
Kent will still be without the squad that defeated Surrey in their last Vitality Blast match, as they continue their period of self-isolation.
Scotland internationals Calum MacLeod, Safyaan Sharif and George Munsey all joined Kent for the Spitfires’ final two Vitality Blast group matches.
The Spitfires’ squad is unchanged from their last match.
Kent’s full Matchday Squad, presented by Shepherd Neame >>>
Be in with a chance of winning Darren Stevens’ signed match-worn Vitality Blast shirt by buying any piece of Samurai Sportswear Kent Cricket merchandise online or in-store before 18 July.
The lucky winner will be announced LIVE on Kent Spitfires’ Live Stream against Sussex Sharks on Sunday 18 July.
Purchase your Samurai Sportswear Kent Cricket merchandise here >>>
Match Previews of Kent Spitfires’ Vitality Blast fixtures are proudly sponsored by Shepherd Neame >>>
