Match Preview – Kent Spitfires v Netherlands,Yorkshire Bank 40 – Group A

The Kent Spitfires kick off Tunbridge Wells Cricket Festival by welcoming the Netherlands to the Nevill Ground, for a Yorkshire Bank 40 Group A fixture, Monday 27 May 2013, 1.45pm start

Going into the fixture, James Tredwell's men are still in contention in the qualifying group, despite the loss to the Sussex Sharks, and a win over the Dutch would cement their position as candidates to reach the final four.

The two have already met this season with Kent claiming a comprehensive win in Deventer when a fine all-round bowling display saw the Spitfires on their way. Tredwell led from the front, returning 4-22, as the hosts were bundled out for 101. Darren Stevens (3-19) and Matt Coles (2-5) also helped dismantle the Dutch as Kent enjoyed their jaunt across Europe. Despite losing Sam Billings early on, Brendan Nash continued his fine early season form scoring a composed 45 not-out, and a 49-run stand with Ben Harmison (17*) saw the Spitfires through to a comfortable seven-wicket success.

The last time Kent welcomed the Netherlands to Canterbury, it was the hosts who took the points in a CB40 fixture two years ago. The visitors batted first and were soon in trouble at 75-6, with left-armer Adam Ball returning 2-32. However some heavy hitting from Mudassar Bukhari (78 from 62 balls) allowed the Dutch to post a more competitive 199-6.

Kent lost Joe Denly early in the run chase and teetered at 51-4 before Darren Stevens (70) and Sam Northeast (58 not out) guided the home side to a four wicket win with 25 balls to spare.

Speaking ahead of the Tunbridge Wells festival, captain Tredwell commented on the great West Kent support as well as the difficulties of switching competitions on a regular basis:

“We are all looking forward to the Tunbridge Wells festival. It's a lovely ground. Anyone who's played there will say that and the support is fantastic, year-upon-year. We've had some decent results over the years at the Nevill Ground so I hope we can keep that going. It can be tricky (changing competitions) although going from the Championship to 40-over cricket obviously isn't as difficult as going from four-day cricket to t20. The main difficulties are when you go from powerplays and the death overs. It is different but we are in a decent place in limited-overs cricket so I hope we can keep things going at Tunbridge Wells.”