Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the LV= Insurance County Championship...
Fixture: Kent v Glamorgan
Venue: The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury
Dates: Thursday, May 20, 2021 - Sunday, May 23, 2021
Start time: 11am
What's the lowdown?
It's Glamorgan’s turn to take the four-hour journey down the M4 after beating Kent by 10 wickets just over two weeks ago on a dramatic second day.
Kent are searching for their first win of the 2021 season after drawing three and losing three of their first six matches. They are the only team in group three that have not had a win at this stage of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Glamorgan are coming into this game with a single victory after inclement weather dominated the games against Lancashire and Yorkshire. Kent were dismissed for 74 in their second innings at Sophia Gardens a fortnight ago, with Michael Hogan claiming 5 for 28. Glamorgan are currently third in the Championship with 69 points, 29 behind the leaders Yorkshire.
Who's in form?
Jack Leaning enjoyed a stellar performance on day four against Sussex with his sixth first-class century before both sides were forced to settle for a draw.
Glamorgan’s Kiren Carlson now has the fifth best average in the championship with 552 runs at 69. He scored an unbeaten 88 against Yorkshire on Sunday to snuff out any chance of a result.
Michael Neser, the Australia overseas player, is already into his stride with seven scalps from his 37 overs with the ball.
Last five first-class matches (most recent first)
Kent: DDLLL
Glamorgan: DDWLL
Head-to-head first-class record
Total matches: 106
Kent wins: 40
Glamorgan wins: 30
Draws: 36
What's the team news?
Glamorgan: The visitors have made two changes to the squad of 13 that played out a draw with Yorkshire in the last round. Wicketkeeper batsmen Tom Cullen returns for Callum Taylor, whilst Lukas Carey makes way for James Weighell due to a shin injury.
Squad: Chris Cooke (c + wk), Joe Cooke, Kiran Carlson, Tom Cullen, Dan Douthwaite, Michael Hogan, Marnus Labuschagne, David Lloyd, Michael Neser, Billy Root, Andrew Salter, Timm Van Der Gugten, James Weighell
Latest Glamorgan news: Click here
Who's said what?
Glamorgan secured a comfortable 10-wicket win over Kent earlier in the season but head coach Matthew Maynard expects a stronger test this time around, particularly with Sam Billings fit and available for the hosts.
“Sam Billings will be back to captain for them, so it’ll be a slight change to their side from when we played them in Cardiff," warned Maynard.
“He’ll bring positivity and fresh energy into their camp and they have some batsmen who have found some form recently.
“Despite their position in the table, they are a very strong side with match-winners throughout the team.
“It’s going to be a lot tougher in their own backyard, there’s no doubt about that. We need to go in and try to do our basics as well as we can.”
What's the weather forecast?
Sunny intervals and a light breeze is expected for the majority of days one and two in Canterbury. Light showers are predicted on Friday evening and Saturday. Highs of 14 degrees Celsius over all four days.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Canterbury: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: Kent will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here
All County Championship matches are also available via the ECB's central hub: Click here
The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.
Radio: BBC Local Radio and the BBC Sport website will carry ball-by-ball radio commentary of the game.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and daily updates from every County Championship match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Going to the game?
Tickets: - Tickets are only available for members until the easing of further COVID restrictions on 21st June.
Travel
Address: St Lawrence, Old Dover Rd, Canterbury CT1 3NZ
By Car: Park & Ride, Old Dover Road, Canterbury, CT1 3EJ
This car park is situated a 10-15 minute walk or a short bus ride from the ground. £3.50 per day for a car and up to six passengers.
On match days, there is no one-off parking at the ground for spectators, however, there are limited disabled/Blue Badge parking spaces held in reserve at a daily rate of £15 per day. Parking is available in the ground on day four of the County Championship, subject to capacity.
By Bus: The bus to and from town stops in front of the turnstiles on Old Dover Road. Alternatively, you can use the Park and Ride and Stagecoach services from New Dover Road, which will return you to the Park & Ride car park. Stagecoach buses 15,16 and 17 will be available from 7:30pm until 11:30pm with a valid Park & Ride ticket.
By Train: Canterbury East station is just one mile from the ground, whilst Canterbury West is slightly further at one-and-a-half miles.
Prediction?
Kent badly need a win to get their season back on track while Glamorgan will have half an eye on a place in the top two. Just five points separate Yorkshire and Lancashire though the latter have played a game fewer. With dry weather likely for at least two days, a Glamorgan win is the best bet.
OTHER ROUND SEVEN PREVIEWS
Group 1
Nottinghamshire v Worcestershire
Group 2
Group 3
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