Match Preview: Kent v Hampshire LV= CC, 15 – 18 July
Sunday 14th July 2013
Kent v Hampshire
LV=County Championship – Division Two
Monday, 15 July. Thursday, 18 July – 11am start
Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury
Kent, fresh from a stunning two-wicket success over Gloucestershire yesterday, welcome Hampshire to the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence for a four-day LV= County Championship match, starting on Monday.
The team:
Kent have named a similar 12-man team for the visit of Hampshire.
Tredwell (c), Northeast, Key, Bell-Drummond, Nash, Harmison, Stevens, Jones (w), Philander, Haggett, Shreck, Kemp
Players to watch:
After a tough start to his Kent career, batsman Ben Harmison is now really starting to show his full potential. The 27 year-old made his maiden county ton last week, at Cheltenham, to take his season tally to 344 runs at a healthy average of 43. Harmison also bowled a few overs in the win against Gloucestershire. If he can combine the two disciplines then the all-rounder could become a key component of Kent’s side.
Hampshire middle-order batsman James Vince has been in fine form this season and is an integral part of the visitors’ batting line-up. The right-hander tops the south-coast side’s batting averages, having amassed 556 runs at an average of over fifty. If he carries on that form throughout the season then an England call-up could beckon for the 22 year-old.
Pre-match chat:
Kent captain James Tredwell says the group are full of confidence after a morale boosting win in their last outing: “It's not every day that you chase down 400 to win a match so we go into it confident. I guess it lifts a monkey off our back and the performance was a testament to the character in the group. It's been a long time coming and the game against Hampshire will be tough. They're a very good side and have a strong top order but we are looking forward to returning to Canterbury and playing in front of our home crowd.”
The season so far:
Kent’s miraculous two-wicket success against Gloucestershire was their first LV= CC success of the season and the 21-point haul saw them move up to seventh position in the second division. Chasing a mammoth 411 to win on the final day on a flat Cheltenham surface, West Indian Brendan Nash scored a stunning, unbeaten 199 to take the visitors to the brink of glory. The left-hander, who batted for 230-balls, was forced to retire with exhaustion – just one run short of a much deserved double-hundred, which left Calum Haggett and Charlie Shreck to hit the final 21 runs to seal a famous victory with just 14 balls to spare.
Kent sit two places and 17 points behind the visiting Hampshire side, with Jimmy Adams' side winning two of their nine matches so far this season. In their last four-day outing, the side based at the Ageas Bowl squeezed past Glamorgan by 43 runs at Cardiff. Left-arm quick James Tomlinson was the hero for the winning side, taking 5-44 as the hosts fell short of their victory target.
Previous meetings:
Rain ruined Hampshire’s last championship visit to Kent when the elements restricted last season’s festival match at Tunbridge Wells to just 170 overs over the four days. After a Liam Dawson century had helped the visitors to 303-8, three declarations set Kent a final day target of 304 but despite Sam Northeast making 79, regular wickets hampered the chase and the hosts finished on 220-6 to secure a draw.
The two sides have met 62 times in championship cricket at Canterbury with the hosts holding the advantage – winning 23 times, compared to Hampshire’s nine successes.
Please note – on Wednesday 17th July, Simon Langton Girls' School will hold their annual Sports Day. For this reason access to The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence can be gained via the front school entry and walking down Old Dover Road. We are therefore unable to use the buggy on Wednesday to transport supporters from the school – for this reason we will accommodate any visitors requiring this service within The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence via the Nackington Gate. We apologise for any inconvenience caused – this is only on Wednesday 17th July, no other days are affected.
Photo: Sarah Ansell