Beckenham to host Spitfires’ Suffolk one-day match
The Kent Spitfires will now host Suffolk in a one-day ‘National County’ match on 20th July 2021 at The County Ground, Beckenham.
Suffolk and Kent have faced each other only once before, when Colin Cowdrey hit 116 runs in a 113-run Kent victory at the Ipswich School Ground on 30th April 1966, the first round of the Gillette Cup. This was Suffolk’s first ever match against a first-class county’s First XI in modern history.
Kent legends Derek Underwood and Alan Knott, both within their first three seasons of featuring in the men’s First XI squad at the time, also played.
Underwood finished the match with figures of 1/11 from nine overs with six maidens, whilst another Kent capped player, David Sayer, was the pick of Kent’s bowlers with 3/24. Colin Cowdrey even picked up a wicket in his only over bowled, conceding seven runs from it. Future Kent captain Mike Denness also scored 49 runs.
Many players have played for both Suffolk and Kent over the years: early cricket pioneers Fuller Pilch and Alfred Mynn; modern day stars Andrew Hall, Neil Dexter, Matt Hunn and Adam Ball have worn both Kent and Suffolk colours in their careers.
July 2020’s meeting will now take place at The County Ground, Beckenham, after originally having been scheduled to be hosted by Suffolk at Copdock near Ipswich.
Kent’s Director of Cricket, Paul Downton, said: “The players and coaches were looking forward to making the journey to Suffolk, but the challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic mean that hosting this match at Beckenham is now the best option for us from a safety perspective.
“This will be ideal preparation for the Royal London Cup as Beckenham will be our home venue for the Group Stage, and by anchoring our one-day efforts in Metropolitan Kent, we can ensure that COVID regulations and guidance are strictly adhered to.
“We look forward to welcoming the Suffolk players and support staff to Beckenham in July.”
Suffolk County Cricket Club’s Chairman, Andrew Squire, said: “We are delighted to be able to play Kent Spitfires at Beckenham in the current circumstances.
“Having myself played for Suffolk against Somerset at Taunton in the old NatWest Trophy, I know our players will relish the chance to test themselves against a first-class county on their own ground.
“It also provides a great opportunity for our players, especially the younger ones, to showcase their skills against full-time professionals.”
In-line with Step 3 of the Government’s Roadmap out of lockdown and ECB’s Return to Spectators guidance, the Club is pleased to confirm that as things stand, a limited number of Kent Members and Six Pack Season Ticket Holders will be able to attend Kent matches, starting with out LV= Insurance County Championship match against Glamorgan, starting on Thursday 20 May.
All Members and Six Pack Holders with a valid 2021 Membership or Season Ticket status have been contacted via email*, with details of how to enter the Members’ Match Day Ballot using the electronic Ballot form.
The Members’ Ballot process will be allocated via priority groups, in-line with our COVID-19 Member pledge announced in December 2020.
The deadline for electronic submission of Ballot forms is Monday 3rd May 2021 at 16:00. We will not be able to consider any electronic submissions received after this time.
If you are a Kent Member or Six Pack Holder and have not received an e-mail from Kent Cricket regarding the ballot process, please contact members@kentcricket.co.uk by Thursday 29 April.
Social distancing measures will be in place and there will be specific zones of The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence available to book for seating, as well as some zones which will be unavailable.
Whilst the Club has worked hard to ensure that as many Members as possible are able to watch each day’s cricket, these measures mean that crowds will initially be limited to no more than 25% of our normal match day capacity.
Following the allocation across all Priority Groups, any remaining tickets for all matches will be available via General Sale from Tuesday 1 June, 2021 at 10:00.
*Please note, for Members with no registered e-mail address, the Club has sent postal Members’ Ballot forms to arrive by Thursday 29 April latest. All postal applications must be returned by Wednesday 5 May at 17:00.
Alternatively, postal Members can phone the Club’s Membership & Ticketing Office on 01227 456 886, Tuesdays – Thursdays, 10:00-16:00.
As things stand, Kent’s Men’s Second XI and Women’s fixtures remain behind closed doors and spectators are NOT allowed to attend. Should this change, Kent Cricket will notify Members and supporters.