FP t20 match preview: Kent Spitfires v Gloucestershire Gladiators

Kent Spitfires v Gloucestershire Gladiators
Friends Provident t20 – South Division
Sunday, 4 July 2010. 3.00pm start
St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury

The Kent Spitfires now face a must-win situation in the FP t20 when they take on the Gloucestershire Gladiators at the St Lawrence Ground on Sunday.

Rob Key’s men slumped to a disappointing 45 run defeat at the hands of the Hampshire Royals on Friday, after falling short of a very gettable victory target of 140. Now, you feel, the Spitfires have to win all of their remaining South Division fixtures to stand any chance of qualifying for the quarter-final stages. In the defeat to the Royals, the team did a fine job with the ball. Spinner Malinga Bandara (pictured)was the pick of the attack, with figures of 3-14¸but an abject display with the bat means Kent now face an uphill task in the group.

The Gladiators currently sit two places above Kent and secured victory in their last outing. Taking on the Glamorgan Dragons on Friday night, Alex Gidman’s side chased down 154 with ease. 65 from Ireland’s William Porterfield led the way, as Gloucestershire secured an eight-wicket victory with 27 balls remaining. With the ball Steve Kirby led the way, taking 3-17, and he will be a threat to the Spitfires on Sunday.

The two sides have met before in this season’s group stages and Kent recorded a great win. Batting first, the Spitfires racked up their highest ever t20 total as Joe Denly (48), Key (44) and Alex Blake all contributed in an impressive score of 217. Despite a valiant effort form the Gladiators, led by a 36-ball 67 from Chris Taylor, Simon Cook (3-22) and Matt Coles (3-48) combined to bowl the home side out for 181 as Kent won by 36 runs.

Kent have named an unchanged 13 for the game: Key (C), Denly, Jones (W), van Jaarsveld, Hockley, Blake, Mahmood, Coles, Bandara, Cook, Khan, Shaw, Goodman

Tickets are still available for the game and you can purchase on the gate. The price is £25 for adults and £10 for juniors. Gates open at 1.00pm, with the action beginning at 3.00pm.

After our game against the Gloucestershire Gladiators, the Kent Spitfires have a furthertwo home group matches. You can book tickets, and take advantage of our seven day in-advance ticket offer, by clicking here.

Picture:Getty Images