FP t20 match preview: Somerset Sabres v Spitfires

Somerset Sabres v Kent Spitfires
Friends Provident t20 – South Division
18 July 2010. 2.30pm start
Taunton

The Kent Spitfires finish their FP t20 campaign with a trip to the west country on Sunday afternoon as they take on the in-form Somerset Sabres.

After back-to-back wins against the Glamorgan Dragons in the last week, Kent will be full of confidence as they look to finish their participation in the tournament on a high. The Sabres, on the other hand, have already qualified for the quarter-finals and a win will seal top spot in the South division.

The two sides last met back in June at Beckenham and it was the visitors who cruised to victory by 84 runs. Batting first, the Sabres racked up 189-4 thanks to James Hildreth (77 from 56 balls) and young wicket-keeper Jos Buttler (48 from 22 balls). In reply, the Spitfires were never in the hunt as they crumbled to 105 all out as West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard took 4-15. Batting at three, Geraint Jones top scored for Kent with 25.

Both sides took victory in their last outing in this tournament on Friday. Kent overcame Glamorgan by 14 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method. Cameos from Joe Denly (30), Darren Stevens (28), James Tredwell and Alex Blake (25 apiece) led them the Spitfires to 158-9. Tight bowling, led by Simon Cook (1-20 off four), meant Glamorgan were behind the rate, when the rain arrived, as Kent took the points.

The Sabres were also comfortable winners as they overcame the Gloucestershire Gladiators by six wickets. Pollard again was pivotal with the ball as his 3-36 meant the Gladiators were restricted to 152-9. Somerset knocked off the runs with 19 balls remaining as former Kent man Peter Trego made a brutal 46 off just 17 balls and Pollard once again proved his all-round skills with 30 off 12 balls.

Team director Paul Farbrace (pictured)will select from an unchanged 13-man squad. Kent Spitfires: van Jaarsveld (C), Denly, Hockley, Jones (W), Stevens, Blake, Mahmood, Tredwell, Coles, Bandara, Cook, Shaw,Goodman

Picture: Sarah Ansell