Spitfires Aim to Stay Top of the Group

The Kent Spitfires head to the Midlands today, sitting top of Group B, for two key fixtures in the Royal London One-Day Cup. They are two points clear of Friday night’s opposition the Notts Outlaws, who do have a game in hand, and four clear of Warwickshire, whom they play in Rugby on Sunday.

Head Coach, Jimmy Adams, is pleased with his team’s progress at the mid-point of the competition noting that, ‘we have played all 13 selected squad members over the last two matches against Glamorgan and Surrey. Having the depth to pick teams that suit conditions and know that the standard is maintained is a real tribute to the lads. We haven’t made the quarter-finals so these two games are vital for us.’

Adams has stayed true to form, naming a consistent squad with only one change, Brendan Nash being replaced by David Griffith who is returning from injury. Nash has a side strain ruling him out of contention for the trip. Captain Rob Key remains out of the squad, with his tweaked hamstring, so the skipper’s role stays with Sam Northeast.

The Spitfires and Outlaws share a finely balanced history in limited over cricket. They have faced each other 44 times for 21 wins apiece, one tie and one no result, Against Warwickshire, Kent have a slight lead in the head to head encounters; played 49 for 25 Spitfire victories, 21 for Warwickshire and three no results.

The matches are

1. Notts Outlaws v Kent Spitfires, 2.00pm, Friday 8 August, Trent Bridge, Nottingham.

2. Warwickshire v Kent Spitfires, 10.30am, Sunday 10 August, Rugby School, Rugby.

The full squad is:

· Sam Northeast (c)

· Daniel Bell-Drummond

· Sam Billings (w)

· Alex Blake

· Doug Bollinger

· Mitch Claydon

· Fabian Cowdrey

· David Griffiths

· Calum Haggett

· Ben Harmison

· Adam Riley

· Darren Stevens

· James Tredwell

Injury Update:

Rob Key, recovering from hamstring tweak

Mark Davies, out for the season

Brendan Nash – side strain