Rabada set for NatWest T20 Blast debut v Sussex Sharks (Thu, 6.30pm)
Wednesday 29th June 2016
South Africa paceman Kagiso Rabada is set for his Kent Spitfires debut against Sussex Sharks at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence on Thursday (6.30pm start).
The 21-year-old sensation, who took 22 Test wickets against England last winter and is now ranked seventh in the one-day international bowling rankings, is available in all formats before he returns to international action in August.
Kent’s new number 52 said: “I’m sure I can adapt to the conditions and I’m here to play cricket, win some games and help the team.
“The players are been very welcoming and I’m grateful to Kent for the opportunity to play county cricket.
“Lots of South Africans have played here including fast bowlers like Morne Morkel and Makhaya Ntini so I feel like I’m almost at home.”
The Spitfires will be hoping to bounce back from defeat to a Brendon McCullum-inspired Middlesex on Friday in front of a passionate home crowd in Canterbury on Thursday.
Daniel Bell-Drummond (hand) and Calum Haggett (ankle) are sidelined with injuries and Matt Coles remains unavailable for selection.
Sussex have signed Sri Lankan paceman Nuwan Kulasekara on a short-term basis as South Africa all-rounder David Wiese has departed and Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman is not available.
England limited-overs all-rounder Chris Jordan and T20 squad member Tymal Mills are also in the Sharks' 13-man squad.
Kent Spitfires squad: 17 Sam Northeast (c), 48 Tom Latham, 6 Joe Denly, 30 Fabian Cowdrey, 3 Darren Stevens, 10 Alex Blake, 20 Sam Billings (w), 15 James Tredwell, 52 Kagiso Rabada, 5 Ivan Thomas, 8 Mitch Claydon, 18 David Griffiths, 24 Adam Ball.
Sussex Sharks squad: Luke Wright (c), Will Beer, Danny Briggs, Craig Cachopa (w), George Garton, Chris Jordan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Matt Machan, Tymal Mills, Chris Nash, Phil Salt, Ajmal Shahzad, Ross Taylor,.