Match Preview: Surrey vs. Kent
The first meeting between Kent & Surrey in 2023 comes in the shape of an LV= Insurance County Championship showdown at the Kia Oval in London.
The Spitfires travel back to the capital in successive road trips after earning a draw with a stubborn final-day performance to see-off the highly skilled bowling attack of Hampshire last time out at The Spitfire Ground.
Ben Compton has faced over 1,000 deliveries in the competition so far, & is Kent’s top run-scorer with 431 at an average of 53.87. Fellow opener Zak Crawley has 350 runs at 38.88, & after passing 2,000 first-class runs for Kent in their last match, Jack Leaning also has over 250 runs this season.
Matt Quinn, Joey Evison & Wes Agar all have nine wickets apiece for Kent – with this match being Australian Agar’s final scheduled appearance for Kent in his overseas spell.
Kent Spitfires’ T20 opener for 2023 is now LESS THAN TEN DAYS away, against Gloucestershire at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury. Entry to all scheduled T20 home matches is included in Kent Cricket Memberships, on sale now.
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Last time out
A brilliant defensive display by Kent earned them a draw with Hampshire, after an engrossing final day in the LV= Insurance County Championship at Canterbury.
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It was a textbook rear-guard action by the hosts, who closed on 259 for four, having batted out 113 overs before the captains shook hands, even though Kent were still 18 runs behind.
Ben Compton and Zak Crawley had given Kent hope with an opening stand of 122 and although Hampshire’s hopes were ignited by a spell of three wickets for four runs, they were frustrated by Jack Leaning and Jordan Cox, whose unbeaten stand of 77 took out 43.2 overs.
Keith Barker and Liam Dawson took two wickets apiece, but it was an exasperating final day for the visitors.
The hosts will be far happier with the draw, having been bowled out for 95 in their first innings, before Hampshire posted 373 in reply.
The visitors had looked heavy favourites, but Kent were 66 without loss overnight after 26 overs’ of stoicism from Compton and a restrained Crawley.
The Oldest Rivalry turns T20 in June
Kent Spitfires welcome Surrey to ‘Fortress Canterubry’ for a Sunday afternoon T20 match in less than a month’s time!
Buy your tickets now to avoid disappointment & lock in supporting your Spitfires now in an exciting Summer of white-ball cricket:
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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.
Live Match Centre
Surrey vs. Kent will be live streamed & embedded into the Match Centre on the Kent Cricket website. Commentary will be synced to pictures coming via Surrey CCC.
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Opposition Report
Last time out, Surrey’s pace attack ended Middlesex’s hopes of a draw after they set up a nine-wicket victory at the Kia Oval.
Ben Foakes took six catches, a record in a first-class innings for Surrey against their London rivals, while Jordan Clark’s 4 for 25 headed a good collective performance with the ball that also included day four wickets for Australia’s Sean Abbott, West Indies’ Kemar Roach and Gus Atkinson.
After five matches, Kent’s oldest rivals sit atop of Division One in the LV= Insurance County Championship, with five batters averaging over 40.00, & four bowlers with a bowling average under 25.00.
Team News
With one eye on the beginning of the Vitality Blast this week, Kent Men’s Head Coach Matt Walker has named a 12-strong squad for the visit to Surrey this week.
After announcing the signing of Arafat Bhuiyan on Wednesday, the Club can confirm that the right-arm seamer has gone straight into the squad for this match.
Daniel Bell-Drummond, Joe Denly, Harry Finch, Fred Klaassen, George Linde, James Logan & Jas Singh, as well as white-ball contracted Alex Blake, have all featured in T20s for the Second XI this week.
Matt Quinn has been rested, whilst Nathan Gilchrist continues his return from injury.
Kent’s Match Squad, presented by Black Opal Travel Group >>>
Kent’s Match Squad vs. Surrey: Sam Billings (Captain), Wes Agar, Arafat Bhuiyan, Ben Compton, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Joey Evison, Hamid Qadri, Michael Hogan, Jack Leaning, Tawanda Muyeye, Grant Stewart.
Weather forecast
Follow Kent Cricket on Twitter to receive live updates on prospects of play should there be any delays.
Buy your T20 tickets now to save money, avoid disappointment & to lock in supporting your Spitfires during an exciting Summer of white-ball cricket!
Buy T20 tickets now
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.
Should seated areas such as the Frank Woolley Stand also sell-out, an allocation is set aside for Members & Six Pack Plus Ticket Holders.
Match Previews of Kent’s LV= Insurance County Championship fixtures are proudly sponsored by FGS Plant Ltd. >>>
