Calum Haggett is set to make his first Kent appearance of the season after being named in the 12-man squad for the Championship game against Surrey.

Going into the vital game at the Surrey outground of Guildford, Kent Head Coach Jimmy Adams has made just the one change to the squad that beat Leicestershire in their last four-day encounter; Haggett coming into the squad in place of Adam Ball.

The side will be looking to maintain their positive LV= County Championship form of recent weeks, and complete a third win on the trot in the competition in the process, after victories against Derbyshire and then Leicestershire in their last two four-day games.

All-rounder Haggett, 23, enjoyed a successful first season with Kent last year, taking 26 wickets at an average of just under 35 and scoring 249 runs at 41.50 in his maiden Championship campaign.

His progress this term, however, has been stalled by a side strain he picked up whilst playing in Australia during the off-season, leaving him yet to feature for the first team so far this year. His call-up to the first team squad for the important game against Surrey comes off the back of some encouraging performances with both bat and ball in second XI cricket and club cricket.

With that being the only change to the squad, Charlie Hartley once again keeps his place in the 12 after picking up three wickets in his maiden First Class appearance against Leicestershire, with Imran Qayyum once again set to take on 12th man duties.

Speaking about the side’s recent results, Kent Head Coach Jimmy Adams said: “It was a good performance against Leicestershire and nice to string two wins together.

“To be serious contenders we have to maintain this sort of form. Surrey have been playing well so this is a good challenge for the lads.”

Kent have already beaten Surrey once this season; a dominating eight-wicket win at Canterbury in early May, but the side relegated from Division One last year have had an upturn in fortunes recently after a disappointing start to their campaign.

Surrey, currently in third, sit 40 points ahead of Kent, in fifth, in the table, although Kent do have two games in hand. A victory at Guildford would go a long way to further boosting Kent’s promotion hopes and closing the gap on the sides above them.

 

The game between Surrey and Kent starts at 11am at Guildford Cricket Club on Sunday 20 July 2014.

 

Surrey squad to face Kent: TBA

Kent squad to face Surrey: Bell-Drummond, Key*, Harmison, Nash, Northeast, Stevens, Billings†, Haggett, Claydon, Hartley, Riley, Qayyum

 

 

Picture supplied by www.sarahansellphotography.com