Wicketkeeper batsman Sam Billings was disappointed as the Kent Spitfires lost their latest Royal London One Day Cup clash.

The Spitfires went to The Oval on Friday knowing they were all but out of this year’s competition and a 44 run loss despite 69 from Billings means they sit bottom of the South group with just the one win in six games.

It had looked promising for the Spitfires, restricting the home side to 251/7 in the 41 overs bowled after several rain delays and seemed to be on track to chase it down at 90/2, but consistently lost wickets to be bowled out for 204 in the 36th over.

Having played for Kent for the first time this season having been on duty with both England and in the IPL, Billings was disappointed the side hadn’t played to their potential:

“It’s a very disappointing result. We just weren’t there today in all aspects of the game.”

“It was a pretty good pitch although the odd one stopped a little bit in the surface, and I just tried to take it as deep as possible but picked out long leg.”

“We had fought back well in the field after a poor start and the win was well within our grasp. It was a big opportunity but no one really put their hand up.”

Meanwhile, despite winning Surrey captain Gareth Batty was confused how the Spitfires had a lower target:

“I was a bit frustrated by Duckworth-Lewis to be honest – we could only bat for 41 overs in the end but reached 251, and then somehow they only had to chase 249 in the same number of overs! Amazing!”

“Anyway, it was an OK pitch and we thought we could defend it if we bowled well. We started well, which was important, and then we kept taking wickets at regular intervals.”

“Kent are a dangerous team but we stuck at it well and this was a good win.”

“Ben Foakes has played incredibly well in our white-ball cricket so far. He has power hitting and deft touches, which he showed again today.”

The Spitfires now turn their attention to Sunday’s game against Glamorgan at Swansea knowing they can’t now progress, before concluding their campaign against local rivals Essex at Canterbury on Wednesday.