Match Report: Surrey vs. Kent Spitfires
Kent Spitfires took on Surrey at the Kia Oval in front of the Sky Sports cameras in the Vitality Blast.
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 this coming Tuesday evening, 30 May!
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A freakish innings from Surrey’s Sean Abbott was the difference between Surrey & Kent at the Kia Oval in their Vitality Blast showdown on Friday night.
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The first T20 meeting between the two sides in the 250th anniversary of their first recorded contest in 1773 saw a large following of Kent supporters make the trip to the Oval, & by all accounts gave good accounts of themselves in generating atmosphere for the away side.
After Kent skipper Sam Billings won the Toss & elected to field, that decision soon proved to be the right one, as opener Will Jacks was caught by Michael Hogan from the bowling of South African all-rounder, George Linde.
Kent’s other overseas star, Kane Richardson, then backed up Linde’s efforts with the wicket of Surrey’s other opener, Laurie Evans. Evans, who plays his club cricket in Kent for Minster (Sheppey) Cricket Club, was dismissed by a good diving effort from Jack Leaning in the deep.
Surrey reached 53/2 at the end of the powerplay, but the Spitfires now had to contend with the Curran brothers, Tom & Sam, who had both put good performances in in Surrey’s opening match away at Middlesex. Both faced less than 20 balls each – Sam was caught by Joey Evison off Grant Stewart, & before yet another incredible piece of fielding was placed firmly into 22-year-old Jordan Cox’s already impressive portfolio when it comes to outrageous pieces of outfielding.
In came Sean Abbott.
The Australian, who had never scored more than 50 in his T20 career to date, seemed to be seeing a different match to everyone else in the field – he bludgeoned a 34-ball century, equalling the record-fastest Vitality Blast ton set by the late Andrew Symonds for Kent against Middlesex in 2024, & if there were any worries of a below-par score from the opening faithful, Abbott’s antics soon made their lives much more comfortable.
Abbott had scored almost half of Surrey’s total at 20 overs – with the ‘Rey’ setting the Spitfires 224 to win.
With a big task ahead of them, Tawanda Muyeye & Daniel Bell-Drummond’s reply was instant. The pair bludgeoned a 50-partnership at a strike rate of 200.00 & inside the fifth over, before both surpassing half centuries playing extremely aggressively & with some fine, attractive strokes.
West Indies T20 superstar Sunil Narine would get the much-needed breakthrough for the hosts, forcing Bell-Drummond to dance down the track and drive uppishly to Tom Lawes – but not before Kent’s openers had put on an 108-run stand.
Muyeye kept up his attacking impetus with new partner Joe Denly, but after Denly was dismissed by Sam Curran for 22 from 15, Muyeye was then out to Will Jacks’ second delivery & Kent’s hopes started to fade.
Finding it difficult to keep-up their aggressive start, the Spitfires haemorrhaged wickets in pursuit of a 200+ score, & made 182/7, a very good score under different circumstances, in their 20 overs of reply.
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The Oldest Rivalry comes to Canterbury next Sunday!
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:
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Sign up now to KentCricketPlay & watch your Spitfires in action this T20 season!
You MUST register an account to be able to watch any streams of home Kent Spitfires T20s this years, & we recommend that you register before the day of the match.
Those unable to join us at The Spitfire Ground can purchase the Live Stream for all untelevised home matches via KentCricketPlay for £5.99 (FREE for all 2023 Kent Members) now:
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In the coming days, all 2023 Kent Members will have their KentCricketPlay accounts upgraded at no further cost to their Membership subscription to enjoy all matches free – all other home T20 matches will be priced at £5.99 per match for all non-Members.
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.
