Billings back for Oldest Rivalry at The Oval
Sam Billings returns to the Kent Spitfires squad to play Surrey at The Oval on Friday (11am).
The England limited-overs star is available after playing in the Indian Premier League and the one-day series against Ireland.
Head coach Matt Walker wants the Spitfires side to fire in the remaining three matches (away at Surrey and Glamorgan before a home clash with Essex Eagles on Wednesday).
Walker said: “We haven’t got it right and I’d like to think a few people have looked at themselves in the mirror.
“We want to win the remaining games and give a good account of ourselves to take some momentum into the Specsavers County Championship next week.”
Kent Spitfires squad: 17 Sam Northeast (c), 23 Daniel Bell-Drummond, 6 Joe Denly, 58 Sean Dickson, 3 Darren Stevens, 10 Alex Blake, 24 Adam Ball, 7 Sam Billings (wk), 25 Calum Haggett, 26 Matt Coles, 4 James Harris, 15 James Tredwell, 22 Charlie Hartley, 5 Ivan Thomas.
Surrey squad: Gareth Batty (c), Scott Borthwick, Rory Burns, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Mark Footitt, Stuart Meaker, Ollie Pope, Ravi Rampaul, Jason Roy, Kumar Sangakkara, Dominic Sibley
Kent Spitfires v Surrey stats:
- Kent have won five and tied one of their last seven games against Surrey, including a narrow one-wicket win when these teams last met.
- Surrey have won eight of their last 10 games played at The Kia Oval
- Five of the last six matches involving Surrey have been won by the chasing side.
- Jade Dernbach (Surrey) has taken his 10 wickets at an average of just 10.7 this season; the best rate of any bowler to record 5+ dismissals.
- In 70 completed one-day matches between the sides, Kent won 38, Surrey 30 with two ties.
The next home match is a day-night Battle of the Bridge showdown against Essex Eagles at The Spitfire Ground on Wednesday 17 May (1.30pm).