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: Essex Eagles v Kent Spitfires
Venue: Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford
Date: Friday, June 25, 2021
Start time: 7pm
What’s the lowdown?
Kent Spitfires got their 2021 Blast campaign off to a flying start, winning five of their opening six matches to position themselves at the top of the South Group table with 10 points.
However, they were brought back down to earth with a bump by Gloucestershire, who chased down their target of 148 inside 14 overs. On the plus side, they are yet to lose a match to the weather.
With three wins and four defeats from eight matches, Essex are firmly in mid-table in the South Group. They've turned around a shaky start of one win in six to prevail in their last two, including in the last ball thriller against Middlesex at Lord's
Who’s in form?
Kent have four players inside the top 20 run-scorers, with Jack Leaning, Daniel-Bell Drummond, Jordan Cox and Zak Crawley all north of 150 runs. Crawley was the most impressive against Gloucestershire, firing 43 runs from just 29 deliveries at the top of the order. The England No.3’s availability is a huge boost for the Spitfires.
With the ball, Matt Milnes (10 wickets) and Fred Klaassen (9) lead the way. Milnes and overseas signing Qais Ahmad (five wickets) were the only two bowlers to concede fewer than 10 runs an over against Gloucestershire.
Scoring runs has not always come easy to this Eagles outfit. While five players are in three figures, there have been just three half-centuries across the squad with batters unable to build on solid starts. Dan Lawrence's return is a welcome one in that regard and his 87 runs have come at a strike rate of 152.63.
What’s the team news?
Essex Eagles: Anthony McGrath's side are once again unchanged for the visit of Kent.
Essex Eagles squad: Simon Harmer, Will Buttleman, Sam Cook, Dan Lawrence, Jimmy Neesham, Aron Nijjar, Michael Pepper, Jack Plom, Jamie Porter, Shane Snater, Ryan ten Doeschate, Paul Walter, Tom Westley, Adam Wheater
Kent Spitfires: Matt Quinn is unavailable to face his parent club due to the terms of his move to Canterbury. Adam Milne has arrived in the UK but is not yet able to feature. Tim Groenewald remains out with a knee injury and Sam Billings remains with England.
Kent Spitfires squad: Daniel Bell-Drummond, Alex Blake, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Joe Denly, Nathan Gilchrist, Fred Klaassen, Heino Kuhn, Jack Leaning, James Logan, Matt Milnes, Qais Ahmad, Darren Stevens, Grant Stewart
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Essex Eagles: WWLAL
Kent Spitfires: LWWLW
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 35
Essex Eagles wins: 15
Kent Spitfires wins: 19
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 3
No result: 1
What’s the weather forecast?
There is a small window in the weather where rain is not scheduled to fall in Chelmsford, which should allow for a full game.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Chelmsford: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
Tickets are not available for purchase for this fixture.
Click here to access the Essex box office.
Travel
Address: County Ground, New Writtle Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 OPG
By train: Chelmsford Railway Station is approximately 10 minutes' walk from the ground.
Coming out of the station, walk north on Duke Street and then turn left onto Park Road. Turn right going between Middleditch Court and Norman Court before turning left. When reaching the Parkway main road, turn left before quickly turning right to cross into the Park.
Having crossed the River Can, keep straight until hitting New Writtle Street where you must turn left. After approximately 350 feet, turn left and the ground is on the right.
By car: The stadium has a pay and display carpark with cash payment machines located on site.
Chelmsford City Centre’s High Chelmer multi-storey car par is a five-minute walk from the ground and can be accessed via New London Road after turning left off Parkway. This car park’s post code is CM2 OLG.
There are two park and ride sites in Chelmsford which offer bus services into the city centre. The first site is Chelmer Valley, postcode CM2 7RZ, and the second is located at CM3 3PR.
By bus: Chelmsford Bus Station is on Duke Street, right next to the Railway Station. Bus No.42 and No.100 stop on New London road, approximately a two-minute walk to the ground.
How do I follow the match?
Essex will offer live coverage of the match via their 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?
Kent won with ease in the first meeting between the two sides and if their top-order can fire they should have too much. Away win.
OTHER T20 BLAST FIXTURES: FRIDAY, JUNE 25
North Group
Worcestershire Rapids v Durham
Northants Steelbacks v Lancashire Lightning
Derbyshire Falcons v Notts Outlaws
Leicestershire Foxes v Yorkshire Vikings
South Group
Sussex Sharks v Gloucestershire
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