Match Preview: Hampshire Hawks vs. Kent Spitfires
Kent Spitfires will look to make it two T20 wins in two with a trip to the Ageas Bowl to face Hampshire Hawks on Friday.
The Spitfires still need to win the majority of their remaining matches in the South Group stage to have a chance of qualification for the knockout stages of the competition, after two victories so far this T20 season.
Fred Klaassen fronts up for the Spitfires’ bowling attack – nine wickets at an economy of 7.57 see the Dutch international ahead of the likes of George Linde and Grant Stewart (both eight).
Afghanistan’s Qais Ahmad has six wickets with an economy of 7.48 with his leg-spin, and Jack Leaning’s off-spinners have contributed four wickets at 7.36 runs an over so far.
With bat in hand, Joe Denly continues to lead the way for Kent – his 268 tournament runs give him an average of 38.28
The right-hander is Kent’s highest T20 run scorer in history, and is now nine away from 4,000 T20 runs for the county.
After a new best-score in T20s of 94 against Somerset, Jordan Cox has 231 tournament runs at an average of 33.00, whilst Linde’s batting strike rate of 162.36 has helped towards his contribution of 151 runs.
Opposition report
The Hawks currently sit fifth in the Vitality Blast South Group after four wins and four defeats so far.
Remarkably, Hampshire’s four wins have come in succession after four defeats in their first four matches, and Friday’s hosts will continue to look towards knockout qualification and to continue their hot run of form.
Skipper James Vince has led by example by contributing the most runs of any Hawks batter so far – his 267 runs include two scores of 50 or more – and Australia big hitter Ben McDermott has also blasted his way to 247 tournament runs at a strike rate of 160.38.
Scotland’s Brad Wheal has taken 13 wickets so far at an average of 14.38, whilst Chris Wood’s left-arm seam has enacted 10 dismissals at an economy of 7.61.
England’s Liam Dawson has spun his way to nine wickets at an economy of only 6.64 so far.
Live Streaming
Hampshire Hawks vs. Kent Spitfires will be streamed live inside Match Centre on the Kent Cricket website, with pictures, commentary and YouTube feed being provided by Hampshire Cricket.
Team News
Zak Crawley returns from England duty and is included in Kent’s 15-strong squad to make the journey to the Ageas Bowl.
Darren Stevens, Harry Podmore & Nathan Gilchrist all remain unavailable due to injury.
Kent’s full Matchday Squad, presented by Shepherd Neame >>>
Next Home Match
Kent Spitfires host Gloucestershire in T20 action at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence
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Match Previews of Kent Spitfires’ Vitality Blast fixtures are proudly sponsored by Shepherd Neame >>>
