Kent Spitfires have named a 13-man squad for their NatWest T20 Blast match against Surrey at The Oval on Wednesday night.

The Spitfires are in danger of missing out on the quarter final stages of the competition after a number of disappointing results in recent weeks, seeing themselves slip down to sixth place in the South Group.

After losing to Essex, Kent missed out on victory in their game at Glamorgan, which ended in a final ball tie, before being defeated by Sussex, and losing from what had looked like a winning position against Gloucestershire last Friday.

The game against Gloucestershire at Bristol featured Sam Northeast making the highest T20 score of his career – 75 – while Mitch Claydon was in impressive form with the ball, taking 3-24 from his four overs. Both efforts were in vain, however, as the hosts claimed victory off the very final ball of the game.

However, Kent will be aware that with six games still remaining in the NatWest T20 Blast group stage, a good result against their local rivals tomorrow night could see them right back in the mix for a quarter final place.

The squad for their visit to The Oval sees a couple of changes, although they are both somewhat enforced – bowlers David Griffiths and Doug Bollinger both missing out.

Griffiths has a hamstring injury, sustained in a wicket-taking delivery in the penultimate over of the Gloucestershire game, while Bollinger is rested with a sore shoulder.

Ben Harmison is a new face in the group that will travel to The Oval, while Adam Riley, Fabian Cowdrey and Charlie Hartley are also named in the squad; none of them having featured in the last game at Bristol.

Speaking about the squad that had been selected, Kent Head Coach Jimmy Adams admitted to his frustration at some of the results in recent weeks.

“We’ve had a few games recently where we haven’t quite made it over the line.  The tie with Glamorgan and loss to Gloucestershire were disappointing”, he said.

“To make the playoffs we need to beat Surrey, who have been in great form, so it’s as straightforward as that”, the former-West Indian captain added.

Surrey go into the game in excellent form, currently holding third place in the South Group. 

Their side in recent weeks has featured a number of world-renowned T20 names, including the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Tillakaratne Dilshan, former-Kent man Azhar Mahmood, and Irishman Kevin O’Brien.

Set to be opening the innings for the hosts is the in-form Jason Roy. Roy is the second-highest run scorer in the competition so far this year, with his ability showcased in his 25-ball 63 in Surrey’s big win against Hampshire in their latest T20 game last Friday.

The game, scheduled to begin at 6.30pm at The Oval on Wednesday night, will be televised live on Sky Sports 2.

 

Surrey squad to face Kent Spitfires: TBA

Kent Spitfires squad to face Surrey: Bell-Drummond, Key*, Northeast, Stevens, Blake, Billings†, Ball, Tredwell, Claydon, Riley, Cowdrey, Harmison, Hartley