Match Preview: Somerset vs. Kent Spitfires
A trip to the Cooper Associates County Ground is next for the Kent Spitfires as they face Somerset in the Vitality Blast.
The Spitfires will 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 one win so far this T20 season.
Fred Klaassen is one wicket away from 50 wickets for the Kent Spitfires in the Vitality Blast, and has seven to his name at an economy of 7.74 – including two maidens bowled in succession away at Essex Eagles on Tuesday.
George Linde has six wickets alongside Grant Stewart, Matt Milnes five and Qais Ahmad’s five wickets have come at an economy of 6.92 during this year’s tournament.
With bat in hand, Joe Denly continues to lead the way for Kent after an imperious century against Middlesex – his 227 tournament runs give him an average of 37.83.
The right-hander is Kent’s highest T20 run scorer in history, and is now 50 runs away from 4,000 T20 runs for the county.
South African Linde’s 128 runs have come at a strike rate of 158.02, and Qais Ahmad’s new Kent-best 24 from 14 deliveries away at Essex has boosted his batting strike rate to 155.17.
Opposition report
Kent Spitfires suffered defeat on the opening day of the 2022 Vitality Blast by eight wickets to Somerset at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.
The visitors exacted some revenge for their defeat to Kent in last year’s final, with Rilee Roussow hitting 81 from 54 balls (including seven fours and two sixes) and Tom Abell 48 from 29, as Somerset finished on 166 for two with five balls to spare, after a Roussow and Abell shared an unbeaten stand of 121.
Jack Leaning hit 72 from 43 balls in that match, as the champions recovered from just 52 for four at halfway to post 162 for six, Lewis Gregory taking 3 for 25.
After five matches, Somerset sit second in the Vitality Blast South Group after four victories and one defeat.
Roussow is now the tournament’s top run-maker after 278 runs from 145 deliveries faced – joined in the ‘200-run club’ by teammate Will Smeed.
Scotland international seamer Josh Davey has ten wickets so far at an average of 17.00, and Ben Green also has nine wickets at 14.22.
Live Streaming
Somerset vs. Kent Spitfires will be streamed live inside Match Centre on the Kent Cricket website, with pictures and YouTube feed being provided by Somerset Cricket.
Team News
Kent Men Head Coach Matt Walker has named a 13-strong squad for the visit to Taunton.
Marcus O’Riordan joins the squad after averaging over 62.00 with the bat in six innings in Second XI T20s this season, with three scores of 50 or more.
Tawanda Muyeye is also included after making his first-team T20 debut at Chelmsford on Tuesday.
Darren Stevens, Harry Podmore and Nathan Gilchrist remain out through injury, with Zak Crawley still with England Men’s Test squad.
Kent’s full Matchday Squad, presented by Shepherd Neame >>>
Next Home Match
Kent host Gloucestershire in the return of the LV= Insurance County Championship at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.
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Match Previews of Kent Spitfires’ Vitality Blast fixtures are proudly sponsored by Shepherd Neame >>>
