Kent batsman Sam Northeast is looking to recapture the spirit from the win over Sussex as they take on New Zealand in a T20 tonight.

Northeast will captain an inexperienced Kent side as they take on Nathan McCullum, Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill and co at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence this evening.

It was Northeast’s career best 115 against the Sharks on Wednesday night that set the game up nicely for the Spitfires to make history and chase down 337 to win in the most entertaining game at Canterbury for many a year.

Along with Darren Stevens (118), Northeast showed all the composure needed to take the side to within touching distance of victory and he told KSN how he felt it was one of the best games he’s ever been involved in:

“It was a memorable night and most of the credit should go to Stevo. It was one of the best innings I have seen and been involved with. A hundred off just 44 balls was just incredible.”

“To beat Sussex like that was a great night.”

“It was a great night and hopefully we can go on from this and get to a Final’s Day.”

Despite scoring his career best One Day score and taking the side to the verge of victory, Northeast didn’t believe until the last few overs that the world record run chase was possible:

“When I got my hundred, it was still a case of we have got to win this. I’d never have forgiven myself if we’d got into that position and not won.”

“The whole way through, I didn’t believe we were going to do it. I knew something special was going to have to happen and Stevo kept hitting sixes for fun.”

“It was only when we needed about 20 off 4 overs that I actually let myself believe we could win it. It was a pleasure to have been involved in that run chase.”

Northeast will once again lead the side out this evening with Kent resting the likes of Geraint Jones, Rob Key and Brendan Nash.

The talented batsman did the job against the touring South Africans last year and he’s hoping the side put on a show tonight against some of the best T20 players in the world:

“I’m really looking forward to Saturday and it will be a great challenge for us as we’ve got nothing to lose. I’m also looking forward to the Twenty 20’s now.”

“Hopefully I can take my form into that and hopefully the team can take their form into it as we’d like to give something back to the fans.”

“It’s a game we’re not expected to win, the youngsters are getting an opportunity to play and it gives us a chance to get ready for the Twenty 20’s.”

“If we lose it, it’s not the end of the world and it’ll be good to see guys go out and express themselves.”

Sam Billings will don the gloves for the game with the likes of Daniel Bell-Drummond, Fabian Cowdrey and Matt Coles expected to come into the starting eleven.

There’s good news for Kent fans though with Darren Stevens keeping his place in the side and after Wednesday night’s game, who would bet against him smashing the Kiwis to all parts of the ground.
Kent’s 12 man squad: Sam Northeast (C), Sam Billings (W), Daniel Bell-Drummond, Darren Stevens, Alex Blake, Ben Harmison, Fabian Cowdrey, Matt Coles, Calum Haggett, Adam Riley, Mitchell Claydon, Ben Kemp.

 

Play starts at 7pm and join us from 5:30pm on Twitter for live updates from Canterbury at @ksncricket

Picture supplied by www.sarahansellphotography.com