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Match Preview: Hampshire Hawks vs. Kent Spitfires

Sunday 5th July 2026

Men’s First Team

Men's Vitality Blast

Kent Spitfires head to Utilita Bowl, Southampton to face Hampshire Hawks in the Vitality Blast.

The Oldest Rivalry returns on 10 July

Kent Spitfires welcome rivals Surrey to the St Lawrence Ground on a Friday night under lights.

Tickets are selling fast – the Frank Woolley Stand Upper & all matchday hospitality spaces have completely SOLD OUT!

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Entry is INCLUDED in all 2026 Kent Memberships, White Ball Passes & Youth/Junior Season Tickets!

Last Time Out

Worcestershire Rapids recorded a vital and comprehensive Vitality Blast victory over Kent Spitfires by 83 runs in their Crossover Match at New Road.

View video scorecard

Put in on a bowler-friendly pitch, the Rapids were lifted to 142 for seven by Adam Hose (47 from 41 balls) and Sikandar Raza, on his farewell appearance before leaving for international duty, who struck 43 from 31.

Opposition report

Previewed by Alex Smith, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 

  • Captain: James Vince 
  • Overseas players: Delano Potgieter (South Africa, until Tristan Stubbs arrives), Tristan Stubbs (South Africa, after IPL), Hilton Cartwright (Australia, all) 
  • Finals Day appearances: 11 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025) 
  • Titles: Three (2010, 2012, 2022) 
  • 2025 finish: Runners-up 
  • 2025 leading run-scorer: Toby Albert (633) 
  • 2025 leading wicket-taker: Scott Currie (27) 

Russell Domingo has replaced Adi Birrell in the head coach’s corner, while Benny Howell has departed to Notts Outlaws and semi-final hero Chris Lynn to Northamptonshire Steelbacks. South African middle-order blaster Tristan Stubbs will arrive once his IPL stint is done, likely after two matches, while Hilton Cartwright returns after a brief stint in 2025. 

Can the Vitality Blast revitalise Hampshire’s season? The opening six matches in the Rothesay County Championship have been an unmitigated nightmare for the county. But in T20 cricket, the Hawks are a well-oiled machine, and the Blast’s arrival could jolt everything back into gear and rebuild the confidence of those who need a pick-me-up. 

Last year’s Vitality Blast top scorer Toby Albert was surprisingly overlooked at the Hundred Auction. Moved up to open, Albert piled on the runs with six half-centuries and was a key cog in the Hawks reaching the final. If he continues with his ramps, flicks, general power and tidy wicketkeeping, he will be a frontrunner for a Wildcard.  

Losing last year’s final hurt, but Hampshire haven’t been successful in the Blast by licking their wounds. They will be gunning for revenge and to become the first four-time champions. The squad, as ever, looks finely balanced. You know exactly what you are getting from James Vince, Chris Wood and Liam Dawson and the overseas players have good experience. The likes of Joe Weatherley, Scott Currie and Toby Albert know their roles, while Ben Mayes and Manny Lumsden are raw and ready if called upon. 

Weather Watch

SOUTHAMPTON WEATHER

Follow Kent Spitfires on X to receive live updates on prospects of play should there be any delays.

Live Match Centre

Hampshire Hawks vs. Kent Spitfires will be live streamed & embedded into the Match Centre on the Kent Cricket website.

View Match Centre

Pictures & sound will be provided by Hampshire Cricket.

Team News

Men’s Head Coach Adam Hollioake has named a squad of 15 to make the trip to journey to Southampton – heading to Utilita Bowl straight from Worcester.

The squad from the Spitfires’ last match has two additions – Bangladesh international Hasan Mahmud has returned to Kent early to help the Spitfires try and reach a knockout birth.

Hasan will be available for selection in Kent’s next match away at Hampshire Hawks tomorrow, as well as the Spitfires’ two home matches to conclude the Group Stage of the tournament – at home to Surrey on Friday 10 July and to Middlesex on Sunday 12 July.

Tom Rogers & Keith Dudgeon are also included in the squad, with two overseas players permitted in a Playing XI.

Tawanda Muyeye has also been added to Kent Spitfires’ squad to face Hampshire Hawks today. Muyeye has been supported by the Club’s Medical Team and is now available for selection.

Jake Lintott is a Kent Spitfire on loan until the end of the tournament and is included in the squad. Off-spinning all-rounder Bertie Foreman has a two-month contract with the Spitfires that runs until the end of the Vitality Blast, but the left-handed batter has not been selected.

Homegrown talent Ekansh Singh is once again included in a first-team Vitality Blast squad, but is yet to make his T20 debut for his home county.

As previously communicated, Joey Evison has joined Leicestershire on loan for the remainder of the Vitality Blast, and Dian Forrester has left the Club to feature for Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket.

Kent Spitfires’ Vitality Blast matchday squad, presented by Shepherd Neame >>>

Kent Spitfires’ squad to face Hampshire Hawks: Sam Billings (Captain), Daniel Bell-Drummond, Chris Benjamin, Zak Crawley, Joe Denly, Keith Dudgeon (Overseas player), Harry Finch, Hasan Mahmud (Overseas player), Fred Klaassen, Jake Lintott, Matt Milnes, Tawanda Muyeye, Tom Rogers (Overseas player), Ekansh Singh, Grant Stewart

The Vitality Blast run in is here

After Hampshire Hawks away this weekend, the Spitfires conclude the Group Stage of the 2026 Vitality Blast with home matches against Surrey & Middlesex at the St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury:

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Entry is INCLUDED in all 2026 Kent Memberships, White Ball Passes & Youth/Junior Season Tickets!

Match Previews of Kent Spitfires’ Vitality Blast fixtures are proudly sponsored by Shepherd Neame >>>