Match Preview: Kent Spitfires vs. Glamorgan
Nineteen days since our last Vitality Blast match at The Spitfire Ground, St. Lawrence, the Kent Spitfires welcome Glamorgan to Canterbury on Wednesday 14th August.
As 2019’s Vitality Blast moves into the ‘business end’ of the group stage, the Spitfires are in joint-second place with Middlesex on 12 points.
The top four teams in the two regional groups earn a place in the quarter finals – the top two teams in one group play the third and fourth placed sides in the other.
Kent are currently three points ahead of Gloucestershire in fifth place with five games left in the competition, where wins are worth two points.
The Spitfires are unbeaten at home in this year’s Blast, with wins against Somerset and Essex Eagles in Canterbury and against Hampshire at The County Ground, Beckenham.
Alex Blake and Mohammad Nabi are now tied for first place in the Spitfires’ six hitting charts in this tournament with 11 apiece, with Daniel Bell-Drummond now top of the run-scoring charts with 241 so far.
Hardus Viljoen is still in first place in the tournament’s wicket-taking table with 17 from nine matches at 14.29.
Glamorgan are currently in ninth place in the Vitality Blast South Group after not yet picking up a victory in the tournament.
David Lloyd is currently the Welsh side’s top run scorer with 236 so far, and Glamorgan can call upon the proven abilities of Big Bash winner and captain Colin Ingram (166 runs) and Pakistan international Fakhar Zaman (99).
Off-spinner Andrew Salter has taken 10 wickets so far for the visitors at 16.60.
Imran Qayyum returns to the Spitfires squad after suffering from a dislocated finger away at Sussex Sharks last Friday.
Adam Milne is ruled out for this fixture after picking up an ankle injury, whilst Joe Denly (England) is still unavailable.
Things you need to know
Live streaming
- We will NOT be live streaming home Vitality Blast fixtures this season
- The live streaming of away matches is subject to broadcasting rights and the discretion of the host county
Getting here
- The Spitfire Ground, St. Lawrence in Canterbury enjoys good travel links with London and the rest of Kent
- Full travel information can be found here
- Gates open at 17:00 – two hours before the start of play
- Both the Main Gate on Old Dover Road and the Nackington Road gate will be open but please allow plenty of time for entry
- ALL bags will be searched on arrival – save time by leaving bags at home and leave plenty of time to get into the ground before start of play
- NO alcohol will be allowed into the ground
Parking
- There will be no public pay-on-the-gate or life member on-site parking (excluding pre-paid parking pass holders & blue badge holders)
- Parking is now available at Simon Langton Girls’ School and will cost £10 on the day (free for life members). This cannot be booked in advance
- On-site parking for blue badge holders costs £15 for the day and cannot be booked in advance
- We highly recommend use of the New Dover Road Park & Ride – CT1 3EL (£3.50 per day) – More information here
- Additional Park & Ride services will run to and from the ground to fulfil demand before and after the match
Tickets
- We recommend that supporters pre-buy tickets to guarantee entry and to save £5 on the gate price
- Our last Vitality Blast match at The Spitfire Ground, St. Lawrence against Essex Eagles completely sold out and tickets were not available on the gate
- This fixture counts as one day in the Six Pack package
Food & Drink
- Spectators are NOT permitted to bring ANY alcohol into the ground
- Food and sealed soft drinks are allowed
Concessions
We are delighted to offer a new variety of food concessions for the 2019 Vitality Blast season, with a wide range of selections, including vegan, vegetarian and options for children:
- Ice Cream van
- Coffee & Cake
- A Taste of Thailand
- That’s Amore Pizza
- Taco Bill
- RAD Burger
- Raclette Melt
- Public bars in the Cornwallis Room (first floor of Colin Cowdrey Stand) and Les Ames Stand
- Beer marquee
The club operates a Challenge 25 policy at all bars serving alcohol at The Spitfire Ground, St. Lawrence. If you’re lucky enough to look under 25 years of age, please bring photo ID with you if you’re purchasing alcohol inside the ground.
Toilets
Toilet facilities are located around the ground:
- Behind the Big Screen
- Behind the Leslie Ames Stand
- Behind the Frank Woolley Stand
- Behind the Underwood & Knott Stand
- Leslie Ames Bar
- Cornwallis Bar (First floor of the Colin Cowdrey Stand)
- Disabled toilets in the Leslie Ames entrance area and behind the Woolley Stand
Shop
The Kent Cricket Shop is located next to the Frank Woolley Stand and in the side of the Colin Cowdrey Stand and sells a variety of Kent Cricket merchandise, including:
- Kent Cricket replica shirts
- Kent Cricket branded clothing and accessories
- Kent Cricket memorabilia
- Cricket equipment
- Hockey equipment
Match enhancement
- Our friendly mascots Victa and Victoria will be in attendance
- There will be a post-match player autograph session by the barrier outside The Lime Tree Café
- No ball games are permitted near parked vehicles in the ground but access to the 3G football pitch inside the Kent Cricket Academy is available for use (no food is to be taken on)
Cash machine
- All bars support contactless card payments but if you require cash, there is a cash machine situated at the Sainsbury’s Local outside the main entrance to the ground
Weather
- Sadly cricket matches are sometimes adversely affected by rain and play can be stopped
- View the club’s Wet Weather Policy here
Frank Woolley Stand advance tickets for our matches vs. Sussex Sharks and Surrey have now SOLD OUT
Tickets are still available for Kent Spitfires’ remaining home games this season after our last tie at The Spitfire Ground against Essex Eagles completely SOLD OUT
Buy tickets in advance to any home Kent Spitfires fixture to save £5 on gate prices >>>
