Match Preview: Essex Eagles vs. Kent Spitfires
After tasting victory on Sunday at Canterbury, Kent Spitfires cross the Thames to face Essex Eagles at The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford in the Vitality Blast on Tuesday 7 June.
Joe Denly’s 110 from 58 deliveries last time out propels the right-hander up to 227 runs so far in the tournament at an average of 37.83, with four other batters all having reached three figures overall in runs in six innings or less.
Both Denly and all-rounder George Linde both have seven sixes to their name, with Linde boasting a batting strike rate of 171.87.
Afghanistan international Qais Ahmad has a bowling economy of just 6.79 after six matches, with wickets shared between Fred Klaassen & Grant Stewart (six each), Matt Milnes & Linde (five) and Qais (four).
Opposition report
Kent Spitfires were beaten in the final over by Essex Eagles in a close Vitality Blast derby match at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence back in May.
Paul Walter top-scored with an unbeaten 47 as the visitors closed on 188 for six in reply to Kent’s 184 for four, hitting the winning runs with two balls remaining.
Essex now sit two places and three points above the Spitfires in the Vitality Blast South Group following two wins, two defeats
2022 signing Matt Critchley leads the way with the bat for the Eagles with 161 runs at a strike rate of 162.62, whilst Michael Pepper has 121 runs at an average of 40.33.
Captain Simon Harmer currently leads the bowling charts for Tuesday’s hosts after five wickets at an economy of 6.00, with four wickets to date for Critchley and Aron Nijjar has three.
Live Streaming
Essex Eagles vs. Kent Spitfires will be streamed live inside Match Centre on the Kent Cricket website, with pictures and YouTube feed being provided by Essex Cricket.
Team News
Men’s Head Coach Matt Walker has named an unchanged squad of 13 to make the trip to Chelmsford.
Darren Stevens, Harry Podmore, Nathan Gilchrist (all injured) & Zak Crawley (England) are ruled out.
Kent’s full Matchday Squad, presented by Shepherd Neame >>>
Next Home Match
Kent host Gloucestershire in the return of the LV= Insurance County Championship at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.
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Match Previews of Kent Spitfires’ Vitality Blast fixtures are proudly sponsored by Shepherd Neame >>>
