Match Preview: Gloucestershire vs. Kent Spitfires
Kent Spitfires make the journey to Bristol to take on Gloucestershire in the Vitality Blast at the Seat Unique Stadium.
The visitors are still searching for their first win of this year’s tournament, and will look to get off the mark in the competition before the home visits of Surrey and Middlesex this Bank Holiday weekend.
Hard-hitting allrounder George Linde (90) is currently Kent’s top-scorer in this year’s Blast, with the left-hander also hitting the most sixes for the Champions to date (7), followed by Jack Leaning (6) and captain Sam Billings (3).
South African Linde also currently has a tournament batting strike rate of 230.76.
Fred Klaassen’s four wickets so far have come at an average of 23.25, with three wickets apiece from Matt Milnes and Qais Ahmad.
Opposition report
Gloucestershire are currently third in the Vitality Blast South Group after one win and one defeat in their opening two matches, although they face Surrey this evening (Tuesday 31 May) from 18:30 at the Kia Oval.
As of their first two matches, wicketkeeper-batter James Bracey and all-rounder Ryan Higgins lead the way with the bat with both batters passing the 70-run mark, with Higgins averaging 73.00 with a strike rate of 169.76.
David Payne, who earned a call-up to England Men’s IT20 squad recently, has taken five wickets so far at 12.80, with Pakistan quick Naseem Shah taking four wickets at 19.25.
Live Streaming
Gloucestershire vs. Kent Spitfires will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK so this fixture will not be live streamed.
A live video scorecard will sit inside Match Centre on the Kent Cricket website.
Team News
Zak Crawley has joined-up with the England Men Test squad ahead of the first Test against New Zealand on Thursday, and has been replaced in the Spitfires’ travelling squad by Tawanda Muyeye and a returning Grant Stewart, who has recovered from injury.
Darren Stevens remains unavailable due to injury.
Kent’s full Matchday Squad, presented by Shepherd Neame >>>
Next Home Match
A floodlit Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence will host a Friday night clash between Kent Spitfires & Surrey – the oldest rivalry in world cricket
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Match Previews of Kent Spitfires’ Vitality Blast fixtures are proudly sponsored by Shepherd Neame >>>
