The fans will be back at Canterbury this morning as Kent face Glamorgan and Matt Walker is delighted to see them back.

Glamorgan come to Canterbury for the next round of the County Championship, and welcome club captain Sam Billings back to the squad, but it’s off the pitch where most focus will be as spectators will be allowed into the Spitfire Ground.

It will be for the first time since September 2019 – over six hundred days ago!

“It’s the talk of the dressing room at the moment,” the coach admitted. “I think everyone is really looking forward to it – it’s been a long time coming as we all know.”

“It’s been an “odd” period where we haven’t had anybody watching and sadly you become used to it – it’s become part and parcel of the game and everyone’s just got on with it; it’s been the way it’s been!”

“The fact that we’re getting people through the gates is exciting for everyone at the club – it’ll make such a big difference even “just” having nine hundred people in, it’ll probably feel like nine thousand!”

“Everyone’s really excited and I’m sure those that have been able to get tickets are very excited too and I hope that all the tickets are used – it will be great if they are!”

“I’ve said it many times that spectators are a big part of the game – it’s why we play! We want to play in front of people and the lads want to show what they’ve got to our fans and our members.”

“I know that the streaming has worked really well and has given people something over the past year and a half, but there’s no substitute for it – to have a bit of interaction and some atmosphere in the ground is exactly what we want, and it will give everyone a lift.”

“Everyone’s been in the same boat – having no fans in takes away something from the game – it takes away maybe that intensity perhaps, that bite in games and I think to have the atmosphere back will be great and everyone really is looking forward to Thursday morning and really thrilled that it’s happening.”

“We’re getting some people into the ground and it will be such a breath of fresh air for everybody… it’s one step at time – small steps – but it’s a very important small step that we’ve actually got people coming to the St Lawrence Ground to watch us play cricket.”

On the field, Billings returns to the squad for the first time since his recent self- isolation after returning from the suspended IPL as Kent look to build on last weekend’s improved performance in the draw at Hove against Sussex.

Picture supplied by Max Flego Photography.