Match Preview: Essex vs. Kent
Kent Men’s first away trip of the 2024 Vitality County Championship is the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ against cross-Thames rivals Essex at the Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford.
It’s not too late to become a Kent Member for this Summer – be a part of the Kent Cricket family and guarantee your place at Kent’s home matches this season, even if tickets are sold out!
Buy Membership now
Last Time Out
Joe Denly and Daniel Bell-Drummond both hit centuries as Kent survived a mid-morning scare to earn a draw with Somerset in the Vitality County Championship at Canterbury.
View Highlights & Match Report
Kent were in trouble on 10 for two and again at 70 for three, until a partnership of 222 for the fourth wicket took the sting out of the contest and they closed on 290 for four declared.
Denly beat his partner to three figures, posting 110 from 142 balls including 11 fours and a six, while Bell-Drummond made 107 from 169, with 14 fours.
Opposition Report
- Captain: Tom Westley
- Head Coach: Anthony McGrath
- 2023 finish: Second (Division One)
- 2023 highest run-scorer: Tom Westley (1,130)
- 2023 highest wicket-taker: Simon Harmer (61)
Sam Cook spearheaded Essex’s 254-run win over Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, taking 6 for 14 on the final day to go with his first-innings hat-trick. Cook finished with match figures of 10 for 73, dispelling concerns about his effectiveness with the Kookaburra ball which is being used in four rounds of the 2024 County Championship season.
Nottinghamshire were bowled out for 80 in their fourth innings, having been set 335 to win in 88 overs after Essex declared early on the final morning. Cook’s strike partner Jamie Porter took 3 for 43 to deliver a 20-point victory.
Weather Watch
Follow Kent Cricket on X to receive live updates on prospects of play should there be any delays.
Kent Spitfires face Essex during the Vitality Blast’s Rivals Week this Summer
The Battle of the Bridge turns T20 on Friday 21 June, under lights at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury.
Beginning at 6:30pm, tickets for this match will be in high demand – get yours now at the best price:
Buy Kent vs. Essex T20 tickets here
Live Match Centre
Essex vs. Kent will be live streamed & embedded into the Match Centre on the Kent Cricket website.
View Match Centre
Sound & pictures will be provided by the host county.
Team News
Kent Men’s Head Coach Matt Walker has named a squad of 13 for Kent’s visit to Chelmsford.
Fred Klaassen & Grant Stewart replace Jas Singh & Arafat Bhuiyan from the squad selected to face Somerset, with Stewart having recovered from a calf injury.
Matt Quinn (back) remains unfit and will not feature in this match after sustaining injuries during pre-season and are being closely assessed by the Club’s physios. Michael Cohen (stress fracture) has been ruled out of the 2024 season.
Zak Crawley is following ECB advice to not feature any two matches of the first section of Vitality County Championship fixtures this year. The right-hander has therefore decided to miss Kent’s first two matches of the 2024 season, making himself available to play for Kent across all formats until England’s Test Series with West Indies in July, barring any further international call-ups.
Fast bowling all-rounder Beyers Swanepoel, who will replace Xavier Bartlett as Kent’s second overseas star in the Vitality County Championship, will join up with the squad from 1 May. He will be available for Kent’s Championship match with Worcestershire onwards.
Kent’s Match Squad, presented by Black Opal Travel Group >>>
Make sure you’re here for the all-action Vitality Blast in June and July
Tickets for your Summer social in Canterbury to see the Kent Spitfires in T20 competition are on general sale now:
Buy your T20 tickets here
Lock in your place at The Spitfire Ground this Summer. Several matches completely sold out in 2023. Take advantage of Early Bird prices before the end of 1 May and save money by buying today.
Scramble your squadron for a choice of Friday nights & weekends this June & July and enjoy discounts on tickets for groups of six or more!
