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 Somerset
Venue: Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury
Date: Monday, June 28, 2021
Start time: 7pm
What’s the lowdown?
High-flying Kent entertain in-form Somerset in a tantalising clash. The hosts are looking to return to the summit of the South Group, while fifth-placed Somerset have won all of their last three completed games, including the reverse of this fixture, and are in prime position to pounce on the top four.
After a tough start to their campaign, losing their first two, Somerset have spun things around, with a narrow victory over Hampshire at Taunton on June 25 following a far more comprehensive one over Surrey at the Oval two days prior. They are in the fortunate position of having games in hand on the teams immediately above and below them, meaning a victory will immediately hoist them into the quarter-final positions, but they have breathing space and will remain steady in the event of a loss.
Kent, appropriately named the Spitfires as they have soared high so far in this season’s Blast, are already in those coveted top four spots, and they too have the benefit of games in hand. They have won three of their last four, with their most recent triumph coming in a weather-affected game with Essex, and victory in this clash will see them retake the lead of the South Group.
Who’s in form?
Somerset have become renowned in recent years for the continuous conveyor belt of talent they have brought through their academy, and two young batters in Tom Banton and Will Smeed, who have a combined age of just 41, both made impressive - and Smeed’s case unbeaten - fifties against Hampshire. However, it is familiar veteran James Hildreth, just five years younger than the sum of Banton and Smeed, who leads the way in runs this season, and he added to his personal portfolio with an unbeaten 72 in the downing of Surrey in midweek.
Scottish quick Josh Davey is Somerset’s leading wicket-taker this term with eight, but it was Jack Leach who impressed against Surrey with a return of 3 for 28 and a run-out in what was, remarkably, his first ever T20 appearance for Somerset. Skipper Lewis Gregory also travels to Canterbury on the back of a good showing, with his three scalps against Hampshire counting Hawks top-scorer Colin de Grandhomme among them.
Kent have been supremely impressive with the bat this season, and no fewer than four members of their team have totalled over 200 runs already. Opener and captain Daniel Bell-Drummond leads the way, with a 29-ball 50 in that rain-curtailed win against Essex his latest contribution. England Test batter Zak Crawley, who opens with Bell-Drummond, averages north of 40 at a strike rate of 163, and has also passed 40 in all of his last three innings.
The Spitfires were only able to bowl five overs against Essex before a downpour curtailed the game, confirming their victory via DLS, but that was enough time for seamer Matt Milnes to strike twice, taking his total scalps for the season to 13. Fred Klaassen also picked up one of his own, ensuring he continues to snap at Milnes’ heels in Kent’s wicket-taking charts, with the Dutch international now on 11.
What’s the team news?
Kent Spitfires: Adam Milne available. Tim Groenewald (knee) is still out.
Sam Billings is away with England. Daniel Bell-Drummond will continue to captain the side.
Kent Spitfires squad: Daniel Bell-Drummond, Alex Blake, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Joe Denly, Fred Klaassen, Jack Leaning, James Logan, Adam Milne, Matt Milnes, Qais Ahmad, Ollie Robinson, Darren Stevens, Grant Stewart
Somerset: James Hildreth (hip) joins Roelof van der Merwe (side) and Tom Abell (hamstring) on the sidelines.
Somerset squad: Lewis Gregory, Tom Banton, George Bartlett, Devon Conway, Josh Davey, Marchant de Lange, Lewis Goldsworthy, Ben Green, Tom Lammonby, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Will Smeed, Max Waller
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Kent Spitfires: WLWWL
Somerset: WWAAW
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 17
Kent Spitfires wins: 12
Somerset wins: 5
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 3
No result: 0
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.
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 is being shown on Sky Sports Cricket.
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?
Two sides who are arguably too close to separate. At a pinch, Kent.
South Group
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