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 Essex Eagles
Venue: Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury
Date: Sunday, June 20, 2021
Start time: 2.30pm
What’s the lowdown?
In-form Kent Spitfires entertain out-of-sorts Essex Eagles at Canterbury.
Kent have enjoyed a terrific start to the new Blast campaign, with four victories from their first five matches. They currently occupy third spot in the South Group table - level with Sussex Sharks and Surrey but trailing on net run rate.
The Spitfires have made their home ground something of a fortress in the early days of the campaign, with three victories out of three - all relatively comfortable, against Hampshire Hawks, Middlesex and Gloucestershire.
Essex Eagles have been far from the side which claimed the Blast title two years ago in their first five fixtures of the season. Although there has been one abandonment, Essex have managed just one win in that time - and that was on the opening night at Somerset.
Since then, the Eagles have struggled with the bat, managing scores of 142 against Hampshire Hawks (chasing 156), 153 for 6 against Glamorgan (to lose by seven wickets), and 128 for 8 against Sussex Sharks (to lose by seven wickets in 14 overs). They will be desperate to see runs on the board one way or another on Sunday.
Who’s in form?
Jack Leaning has been in reliable form with the bat for Kent, accumulating 171 runs at 42.75 and with a strike rate of 144.91. Jordan Cox, while more contained with a strike rate below 130, has added 167 runs in an anchor role.
With the ball, Kent have been buoyed by contributions from various players over the course of the campaign to date. Fred Klaassen has nine wickets at 16.55, Matt Milnes has eight at 17.62, and Grant Stewart has seven at 20.42. Joe Denly has added useful and miserly leg-spin - the former England international's 11 overs so far have gone at an economy rate of just 5.18 with 31 dot balls.
Jimmy Neesham is Essex's leading runscorer in 2021, but 53 of his 121 runs came in the first game of the season. No one else is into three figures for the term. With the ball, Sam Cook is by far the most impactful of Essex's arsenal in the opening five fixtures of the campaign. Cook has six wickets at 14.50, with an economy rate of 6.56.
What’s the team news?
Matt Quinn is unavailable to play for Kent against his parent club. Heino Kuhn returns to the squad after a calf injury. Adam Milne is yet to join up with Kent. Sam Billings is away with England. Tim Groenewald remains unavailable due to a knee injury.
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, Ollie Robinson, Darren Stevens, Grant Stewart
Dan Lawrence is back from international duty and will add firepower to the middle order and useful spin to Essex's bowling. Wicketkeeper Adam Wheater is also available after recovering full fitness.
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
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Kent Spitfires: WLWWW
Essex Eagles: ALLLW
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 34
Kent Spitfires wins: 18
Essex Eagles wins: 15
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 3
No result: 1
What’s the weather forecast?
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Canterbury: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
This match is sold out.
Adult tickets are £25, juniors (ages 5-15) are £7. Tickets are limited to six per booking.
Click here to access the Kent box office.
How do I follow the match?
Kent 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?
It is very hard to look past Kent Spitfires in this one, given their overall record this season, their performances at home, the many contributions they've had from throughout their squad, and Essex's own struggles.
North Group
Yorkshire Vikings v Derbyshire Falcons
Northamptonshire Steelbacks v Leicestershire Foxes
Lancashire Lightning v Notts Outlaws
South Group
Gloucestershire v Hampshire Hawks
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