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 Northamptonshire
Venue: Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury
Dates: Thursday, June 3, 2021 - Sunday, June 6, 2021
Start time: 11am
What's the lowdown?
Kent will be hoping to register their first victory of the season, while Northamptonshire will be looking to leapfrog their way into the top two spots as the first part of the red-ball season draws to a close.
Kent have struggled no end this year, with runs being particularly hard to come by. They've had an extensive injury and absentee list throughout the season, which has only been compounded further by the departure of captain Sam Billings, who joins the England squad after Ben Foakes’ freak injury.
Northamptonshire have had an extremely positive campaign and had they managed to sneak over the line against Yorkshire in their one-run defeat at the end of April, they would be above the White Rose with a healthy gap opened up.
They have had two strong victories over Sussex in their last three games and go into this fixture in excellent form, two points behind Yorkshire in second.
Who's in form?
For Kent, only one man has stood up consistently this season, and that man is Darren Stevens.
He continues to defy the odds, striking blistering centuries and proving too much for some of the best batsmen in world cricket. His 190 off 149 balls against Glamorgan was quickly followed up by the prized wicket of Marnus Labuschagne, the second time he’s claimed him this season. At the age of 45 his 420 runs have come at 46.66, and along with his haul of 19 wickets at 20.84, he is as awesome as ever.
Ricardo Vasconcelos has been at his eye-catching best this season, playing exceptionally fluently for his 551 runs at 61.22, including two 150-plus scores.
He has received magnificent support in thr shape of young Saif Zaib, who scored his maiden first-class century last month and has since followed that up with 67 and 47 not out.
Ben Sanderson and Gareth Berg have combined well this year, in particular when they shared 19 wickets against Sussex at the beginning of May. Sanderson has 26 wickets at 27.61 and Berg 23 wickets at 21.56.
Last five first-class matches (most recent first)
Kent: DDDLL
Northamptonshire: WDWLW
Head-to-head first-class record
Total matches: 140
Kent wins: 60
Northamptonshire wins: 44
Draws: 45
Tied: 1
Abandoned: 2
What's the team news?
Kent: Tim Groenewald, Heino Kuhn, Matt Milnes, Harry Podmore and Grant Stewart remain unavailable for selection. Joe Denly has returned to the fold after some time away from the game and alongside Tawanda Muyeye, will return to the starting XI.
Captain Sam Billings and Zak Crawley are involved with the England squad against New Zealand.
Matt Quinn and Miguel Cummins will play the final games of their respective spells
XI: Daniel Bell Drummond (c), Jordan Cox, Miguel Cummins, Joe Denly, Nathan Gilchrist, Jack Leaning, Tawanda Muyeye, Marcus O'Riordan, Matt Quinn, Ollie Robinson, Darren Stevens
Northamptonshire: David Ripley has made a couple of changes for the trip to Canterbury.
South African international Wayne Parnell sits this one out ahead of the upcoming Vitality Blast. Ben Curran is also not included while Emilio Gay, Nathan Buck and seamer Jack White are back in the line-up.
Squad: Adam Rossington (c), Gareth Berg, Nathan Buck, Emilio Gay, Rob Keogh, Simon Kerrigan Luke Procter, Ben Sanderson, Tom Taylor, Charlie Thurston, Ricardo Vasconcelos, Jack White, Saif Zaib
Latest Northamptonshire news: Click here
Who said what?
Northants head coach Dave Ripley has no qualms over rotating his top order after dropping Ben Curran for Emilio Gay ahead of the trip to Kent.
“Emilio is averaging 80 in the second team, and there are one or two others that are banging out quite a lot of runs for the seconds as well, and they are banging on the door," he said.
“Unfortunately, that puts pressure on the lads who are not performing at the level they would like.
“It is just part of the game, but I would rather give a guy one more game than a game too less, but I think Ben has had a fair run.
“I do think he will now go back and score runs again in the second team, and he will then be banging on the door wanting to get back in again.”
What's the weather forecast?
The game will get off to a scorching start with 24 degrees being predicted on Thursday. However, there is a slim chance of rain throughout the day on Friday, though the temperature will only drop to 21, meaning that a result is still highly likely.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Canterbury: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: Information to come.
All LV= 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 LV= 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-19 restrictions on June 21.
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. The cost is £3.50 per day for a car and up to six passengers.
On matchdays, 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.
*please check latest access information with the club given Covid-19 restrictions
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 will struggle to gain their first victory of the season against this Northamptonshire side, who will scrap to the very last man to secure the win and keep themselves in the hunt for a top-two spot. Northamptonshire win.
OTHER ROUND NINE PREVIEWS
Group 1
Group 2
Leicestershire v Gloucestershire
Group 3
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