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 Vitality Blast...
Fixture: Kent Spitfires v Surrey
Venue: Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury
Date: Friday, July 2, 2021
Start time: 7pm
What’s the lowdown?
It's a massive clash at the head of the South Group table with the teams occupying the top two spots going toe-to-toe in Canterbury. Both of the early favourites to progress to the quarter-finals have lived up to expectations thus far - both on 13 points a piece, with 11 wins between them.
For the Spitfires, it's been a mixed run in recent games as they've come up against the other teams occupying the top spots in the table - to varying degrees of success. They were recently defeated by Gloucestershire and Somerset - before their crucial game against the Sharks was rained out. They've lost their perch at the top but can regain it Friday night by taking both of the points from the visitors.
Surrey travel to the St Lawrence ground knowing that they are separated by just three points from Somerset in fifth place, but can pull clear of the hosts if they can get the win. Gareth Batty's side took the spoils in Southampton against Hampshire on June 30 - taking them top on Net Run Rate. They've taken five points from as many games, and with a warm, cloudy evening expected on Friday, the stage is set for an exciting and balanced contest.
Who’s in form?
The Spitfires' success so far in the Blast can be attributed in part to their lack of a reliance on a star man within the top order. Daniel Bell-Drummond, who is also the team's captain, is joined by Jordan Cox and Zak Crawley in the highest averages table for the season so far. Bell-Drummond has two half-centuries in his last four matches, something he'll be looking to replicate as they take on one of the most fruitful bowling attacks in the competition.
For Surrey, that includes the young bowler Gus Atkinson, who came into the T20 side five matches ago. The 21 year-old has taken five wickets in his last two games, including the crucial wickets of Colin de Grandhomme and Lewis McManus against Hampshire last time out. The all-rounder Jamie Overton has returned handy figures in terms of runs with the ball too - his figures of 2-14 against Hampshire included 15 dot balls and an economy of just 3.50.
One of the vessels for Surrey's batting damage will be the young batsman Jamie Smith - the 20 year-old has come into the side with three of his teammates away on international duty, and rewarded his coaches with two 50s in his last three innings. We can't forget about the power offfered lower down in the order, too - with Kyle Jamieson, the New Zealand international, averaging a cool 47.00 since he joined up with the squad, along with his instant impact with the ball in hand.
What’s the team news?
Kent have no made changes to the 14-man squad that travelled to Sussex before the match was washed-out. With Sam Billings called up the England ODI squad, he has not rejoined the side.
Kent Spitfires: Daniel Bell-Drummond, Alex Blake, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Fred Klaassen, Jack Leaning, James Logan, Adam Milne, Matt Milnes, Qais Ahmed, Ollie Robinson, Darren Stevens, Grant Stewart.
Surrey add one player to the squad that last played against Hampshire - Jordan Clark, the bowling all-rounder, returns to the team after attending to the birth of his first child.
Surrey: Gareth Batty, Hashim Amla, Gus Atkinson, Rory Burns, Jordan Clark, Laurie Evans, Ben Geddes, Will Jacks, Kyle Jamieson, Conor McKerr, Dan Moriarty, Jamie Overton, Ryan Patel, Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith.
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Kent Spitfires: AWLWW
Surrey: WLNRWL
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 35
Kent Spitfires wins: 16
Surrey wins: 18
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 2
No result: 1
What’s the weather forecast?
It should be a warm, cloudy yet sunny evening in Canterbury - you can follow the live forecast on the Met Office: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
There is limited availability for this fixture.
Click here to access the Kent box office.
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.
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.
How do I follow the match?
This match will be streamed live on Kent's YouTube channel and website. Click here
All T20 Blast 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: All Vitality Blast fixtures will be available on BBC Local Radio stations with extensive coverage also on 5 Live Sports Extra.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and updates from every Vitality Blast match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Prediction?
This a tight game at the top of the table and there's no clear favourite. It's on an occasion like this where you'd back the home advantage to play a role - a narrow Kent win.
NORTH GROUP
Birmingham Bears v Notts Outlaws
Yorkshire Vikings v Lancashire Lightning
Derbyshire Falcons v Worcestershire Rapids
SOUTH GROUP
Hampshire Hawks v Gloucestershire
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