Kent will begin their 2013 County Championship season away to Leicestershire after the new fixtures were announced on Monday afternoon.
The Club’s 2013 season begins on Wednesday, April 10th against Cardiff MCCU, in a University Match at the St Lawrence Ground.
James Tredwell will lead the side for the first time in competitive cricket when the LV= County Championship campaign gets underway for Kent on April 17th, some two weeks later than 2012, when Kent will take on Leicestershire at Grace Road. Kent’s first home LV= County Championship match of the season will be against Northamptonshire from Wednesday 1st May at the St Lawrence Ground.
Kent’s Clydesdale Bank 40 competition will then get under way on Monday 6th May, when the Spitfires take on Warwickshire Bears at Edgbaston.
Kent Spitfires’ CB40 campaign includes two CB40 matches in Tunbridge Wells, with the traditional Tunbridge Wells Festival also including an LV= County Championship clash with Leicestershire.
The Spitfires begin their Friends Life t20 campaign on Friday 28th June, when they take on Middlesex Panthers under floodlights at the St Lawrence Ground. This match is likely to be preceded by a T20, International Tourist Match against New Zealand under floodlights on Saturday 22nd June, although this match will be cancelled should New Zealand reach the Final of the ICC Trophy.
Supporters can also look forward to the 162nd Canterbury Cricket Week in late August, which gets under way on Wednesday 21st August with a Championship match against Gloucestershire. The Week is somewhat later than usual in 2013; the traditional timing has been adjusted due to the Champions Trophy. The festival is completed with a one day Clydesdale Bank 40 match against Nottinghamshire on Bank Holiday Monday, 26th August.
The season concludes with an LV= County Championship clash against Lancashire from Tuesday 24th September at the St Lawrence Ground, and the Club have confirmed that their Kent Cricket End of Season Awards Night will then take place on Friday 4th October 2013.
Supporters will note the absence of any confirmed fixtures in Beckenham at this stage. The Spitfires’ Friends Life t20 clash with Surrey on Sunday 30th June is listed as venue to be confirmed. This is due to potential building works taking place at the Beckenham ground during 2013. A decision on whether it is practical to hold this match at Beckenham will be made in due course.
Commenting on the 2013 fixtures, Jamie Clifford, Chief Executive Officer commented: “It is good to see the fixtures for 2013 season published. I don’t think you ever get everything you want, but it is pleasing to see a decent spread of cricket through the summer months of June, July and August, with a good mix of cricket at key times – Friday nights under lights, Sunday afternoons for the whole family, as well as plenty of mid-week Championship cricket.
“This year Canterbury Cricket Week will be later in August in the lead up to the Bank Holiday weekend. This is a departure from convention, which has seen a Festival earlier in the month. This has been driven by a later twenty20 programme and the Club’s commitment to a five day Cricket Week.
“We also look forward to enjoying three matches during the Tunbridge Wells Festival – and thank Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for their continued support.
“We have a range of Membership and Ticket Packages for the 2013 season, which are now available for purchase, and we hope you will support the Club during the 2013 season.”
Click here to download the full Kent Cricket Fixture List for 2013