Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the opening round of the Vitality Blast...
Fixture: Kent Spitfires v Middlesex
Venue: Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury
Date: Friday, June 11, 2021
Start time: 7pm
What’s the lowdown?
Kent were good value for their win against Hampshire in their opening Blast fixture. Without Zak Crawley, Sam Billings and Heino Kuhn the Spitfires still managed to rack up 176 for 6 from their 20 overs with Daniel Bell-Drummond, Joe Denly and Ollie Robinson each hitting over 40 and five sixes between them. It was then over to Darren Stevens who took his 100th T20 wicket for Kent on his way to figures of 2 for 22 from four overs in a spell where he didn’t concede a boundary and removed both Hawks openers when they were set.
Having been on the receiving end of a brutal Will Jacks 70 from 24, it was tough for Middlesex to truly get back into the contest against Surrey in their opener. Not even the nous of skipper Eoin Morgan could stem the flow and his charges ended up conceding the highest T20 total at Lord’s before succumbing to a 54-run defat.
Middlesex were something of a bogey team for Kent in last season’s Blast. They were the only county the Spitfires were unable to beat in either group fixture, the sides playing out two entertaining contests: a tie at Lords and a two-run victory for Middlesex at Canterbury.
Who’s in form?
Bell-Drummond was the leading run-scorer in last year’s Blast and has seemingly picked up where he left off, smiting the Hawks’ attack to all parts in the powerplay before being dismissed for 42 from 23. Denly went two better than his opening partner from the same number of deliveries and keeper Robinson looks to be in the middle of a purple patch, backing up his run a ball Championship century last week with 48 from 36.
Though Stevens was the story of the contest for Kent with the ball, Fred Klaassen, fresh from a successful one-day series against Ireland with the Netherlands, was arguably as impressive with figures of 4 for 32 from his four overs.
Paul Stirling did his damnedest to keep his side in the London Derby, the Irishman’s 58 from 28 justifying Middlesex’s decision to sign him as an overseas for the Blast whilst New Zealand allrounder Daryl Mitchell is on Test duty. In amongst the carnage Australia off-spinner Chris Green emerged largely unscathed with figures of 1 for 25 from his four overs.
What’s the team news?
Kent have named an unchanged squad. Tim Groenewald (knee) and Heino Kuhn (calf) remain unavailable.
Qais Ahmad is expected to arrive into the UK ahead of Spitfires’ clash with Gloucestershire on Sunday after completing his quarantine period.
Sam Billings and Zak Crawley are with England. Daniel Bell-Drummond captains the side.
Kent squad: Daniel Bell-Drummond, Alex Blake, Jordan Cox, Joe Denly, Fred Klaassen, Nathan Gilchrist, Jack Leaning, Matt Milnes, Tawanda Muyeye, Marcus O'Riordan, Harry Podmore, Ollie Robinson, Darren Stevens, Grant Stewart
Middlesex's 13-man squad is unchanged from Thursday night.
Tom Helm is isolating, having tested positive for Covid-19, while James Harris (side-strain), Toby Roland-Jones (knee), Tim Murtagh, (elbow), and Max Harris (ankle), all remain unavailable.
Middlesex squad: Eoin Morgan, Ethan Bamber, Joe Cracknell, Blake Cullen, Stephen Eskinazi, Steven Finn, Chris Green, Nick Gubbins, Max Holden, Luke Hollman, John Simpson, Nathan Sowter, Paul Stirling
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Kent Spitfires: WLLWL
Middlesex: LLLWL
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 29
Kent Spitfires wins: 12
Middlesex wins: 15
Tied: 1
Abandoned: 1
No result: 2
What’s the weather forecast?
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Canterbury: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
There is limited availability for this fixture.
Adult tickets are £25, juniors (ages 5-15) are £7. Tickets are limited to six per booking.
Click here to access the Kent box office.
How do I follow the match?
Kent will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here
All T20 Blast matches are also available via the ECB's central hub: Click here
The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.
Radio: All Vitality Blast fixtures will be available on BBC Local Radio stations with extensive coverage also on 5 Live Sports Extra.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and updates from every Vitality Blast match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Prediction?
Middlesex will need to improve their discipline with the ball, but Kent may not have the same firepower as Surrey. We're still backing the home win.
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