Match Preview: Kent Spitfires vs. Somerset

Saturday 27th May 2023

Men’s First Team

Vitality Blast

Match Preview: Kent Spitfires vs. Somerset

A repeat of the 2021 Vitality Blast final takes place at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence when Somerset are the visitors to Canterbury to take on the Kent Spitfires.

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Kent will be hoping for a return to their victorious start after a win against Gloucestershire at home preceded defeat to Surrey at the Oval on Friday.

Matchday Information

Important matchday information for Members, Six Pack Ticket Bundle holders & those that have purchased match tickets can be accessed via the button below:

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We strongly advise that all Members & spectators travelling to the ground make use of public transport.

The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence is located approximately a mile from the historic Cathedral City Centre of Canterbury.

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Ground opens at 16:30, First Ball at 18:30, Interval scheduled for 19:45, Second Innings scheduled for 20:00, scheduled end of match at 21:15

The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence is a cashless venue. The Kent Cricket Shop, ticket sales, and food & beverage payments at all outlets are conducted without cash during matches.

Buy tickets with confidence with Kent Cricket’s Wet Weather Policy

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Live Streaming via KentCricketPlay

If you’re unable to join us at The Spitfire Ground, Kent Spitfires vs. Somerset is available to watch via the Club’s streaming platform, KentCricketPlay.

Streams will cost £5.99 for all non-Members, & FREE for all 2023 Kent Members.

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Opposition Report

  • Captain: Tom Abell
  • Overseas players: Matt Henry (New Zealand), Peter Siddle (Australia)
  • Finals Day appearances: 8 (2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2021, 2022)
  • Titles: 1 (2005)
  • 2022 finish: Semi-finals
  • 2022 leading runscorer: Rilee Rossouw (623)
  • 2022 leading wicket taker: Ben Green (21)

Big-hitting Tom Kohler-Cadmore is expected to open the batting, joining a top order of fast scorers in the Blast, following his move from Yorkshire, while New Zealand Test player Matt Henry has been recruited as an overseas player to boost the seam attack and could prove an experienced option for bowling at the death.

  • The big question: Can Somerset maintain form throughout a competition they have only won once, 18 years ago. Last year, having sailed through the group with some devastating displays, the Cidermen failed to do themselves justice in the semi-final against Hampshire, by no means the only time they have underperformed on Finals Day when it mattered most.
  • Wildcard watch: Ben Green – Somerset’s One-Day Cup captain proved himself with bat and ball in limited overs games last season, smashing 157 in a 50-over game against Durham at Taunton and finishing as the team’s top wicket-taker in the Blast with his seam bowling. Currently, a white ball specialist, Green is well capable of clearing the ropes with the bat and troubling top batsmen with the ball.

Spectators at the Cooper Associates County Ground look guaranteed more batting fireworks with power-hitters like Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Banton and Will Smeed at the top of the order and other players in Lewis Gregory, Ben Green and Craig Overton, who relish clearing the ropes. Taking wickets on the true Taunton pitches could hold the key to qualifying for Finals Day.

Squad News

Men’s Head Coach Matt Walker has named an unchanged squad of 13 for Kent Spitfires’ clash with Somerset.

Zak Crawley has now joined up with England ahead of their Test against Ireland & is unavailable, whilst Fred Klaassen is unavailable for the start of the Vitality Blast due to personal reasons.

Matt Quinn (toe) & Nathan Gilchrist (soft tissue) are also still out of contention.

Kent’s full Matchday Squad, presented by Shepherd Neame >>>

Kent Spitfires matchday squad vs. Somerset: Sam Billings (Captain), Arafat Bhuiyan, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Alex Blake, Jordan Cox, Joe Denly, Joey Evison, Michael Hogan, Jack Leaning, George Linde (Overseas player), Tawanda Muyeye, Kane Richardson (Overseas player), Grant Stewart.

Next Home Match

Kent Spitfires welcome Surrey to ‘Fortress Canterbury’ for a Sunday afternoon T20 match at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence on 4 June!

Buy your tickets now to save money on On The Day prices:

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Members do not need to pre-book their space at T20 matches as per last season – entry will be gained by scanning a valid 2023 Kent Cricket Membership card at the gate.

The Frank Woolley Stand is already completely SOLD OUT for this fixture. An allocation has been set aside for Members & Six Pack Plus Ticket Holders.

Those unable to join us at The Spitfire Ground can purchase the Live Stream for this match via KentCricketPlay for £5.99 (FREE for all 2023 Kent Members) now:

Buy Live Stream pass now

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