Match Report: Kent Second XI vs. Essex Second XI
With less than week to go until the start of the Vitality Blast, a number of Kent first-team players again featured for the Second XI against Essex Second XI at Polo Farm, Canterbury.
Kent Spitfires’ T20 opener for 2023 is now NEXT WEEK, 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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Kent’s Australian overseas Spitfire signing, Kane Richardson got in some gentle practice out in the middle, before the first team T20 Blast competition starts on Wednesday next week, with an impressive 81-run victory over Essex.
This South Group crushing victory, saw the Spitfires Seconds post 234 for 5, from their 20 overs, with the visitors struggling to 153 for 7 in reply, to be well beaten.
After a century opening partnership off just 55 deliveries, from Marcus O’Riordan, 56, with five fours and a six, and Daniel Bell-Drummond 58, with six boundaries, Alex Blake smashed 82 runs off 38 balls, with an incredible 10 sixes and two fours, and was at his belligerent best, in one of his stellar innings. Jamal Richards 2 for 52, Eshun Kalley 2 for 57.
When Essex started their innings, Richardson struck early, getting the wicket of opener Joshua Rymell, for 26, caught by debutant trialist, Loughborough University student Aadil Ali.
Essex Seconds were never able to get enough momentum to their innings to challenge Kent’s formidable score, despite skipper Will Buttleman hitting five fours and three sixes, in his innings of 58. Jas Singh 3 for 40.
It was the teams second T20 victory, in their first three matches in this seasons competition, and they will be in action again on Monday next week, May 22, when they have a double header against Hampshire Seconds, at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, with the matches starting at 11:30 & 15:00.
The match against Essex gave some Kent players time out in the middle, in preparation for the start of the first team’s Vitality Blast competition on Wednesday next week, May 24, when Gloucestershire, will be visitors to The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.
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By Peter Burrowes
The Battle of the Bridge turns T20-style this June
Kent Spitfires will face Essex in a T20 showdown back at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence at a new start time of 18:30 on Wednesday 7 June:
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Ticket holders for this match also gain complimentary access to South East Stars vs. Central Sparks in the Charlotte Edwards Cup T20 competition from 14:00 on the same day.
Buy your T20 tickets now to save money, avoid disappointment & to lock in supporting your Spitfires during 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.
Should seated areas such as the Frank Woolley Stand also sell-out, an allocation is set aside for Members & Six Pack Plus Ticket Holders.
