Sharks name squad to face Spitfires on Tuesday night

*Important spectator information for the match is available here*

Sussex Sharks host Kent Spitfires at The 1st Central County Ground on Tuesday evening (7:00pm start) and will be hoping to return to winning ways.

James Kirtley’s side suffered their first defeat of the campaign in their last completed match, when Gloucestershire were victorious on Friday night in Hove, before Sunday afternoon’s frustrating result against Surrey.

After the points were shared against the South Londoners, Sussex currently sit fourth in the Vitality Blast South Group with eight points, two points behind the second-placed Spitfires.

There is one addition to the squad for Tuesday’s fixture, with Mitch Claydon added.

“We’ve got a couple of niggles knocking around and we’re still waiting for Chris Jordan [who only bowled one over vs. Surrey and came off with a groin strain] to be assessed thoroughly.” said Kirtley.

“So, to keep our options open, we’re bringing Mitch into the group. Hopefully the weather is kind to us now!”

Sussex squad

Luke Wright (captain), Will Beer, Ravi Bopara, Oli Carter, Mitch Claydon, Henry Crocombe, Travis Head (overseas, Australia), Chris Jordan, Archie Lenham, Tymal Mills, Delray Rawlins, Ollie Robinson, Phil Salt, Aaron Thomason, David Wiese (overseas, South Africa)

Kent Spitfires

Tuesday’s visitors to The 1st Central County Ground have started this year’s Vitality Blast in impressive fashion, and currently sit second in the South Group after six victories and just two defeats.

They have yet to have a game abandoned due to the weather, but did beat their rivals, Essex Eagles by 28 runs on DLS in their last match.

Daniel Bell-Drummond starred in that game with 50 off just 29 balls, and he is his side’s leading run-scorer in the competition with 258 to his name. In 2020, he finished as overall leading run-scorer in the Blast with 423 from 11 innings.

With the ball, Matt Milnes leads the way for the Spitfires with 13 dismissals – the seventh best of anyone in the tournament – while Dutch international, Fred Klaassen is not far behind on 11 wickets.

Kent Spitfires squad: TBA

Starting XI against Essex Eagles: Daniel Bell Drummond (c), Zak Crawley, Joe Denly, Jack Leaning, Alex Blake, Jordan Cox (wk), Darren Stevens, Grant Stewart, Qais Ahmad (overseas, Afghanistan), Matt Milnes, Fred Klaassen

Match information

Tuesday's fixture against Kent Spitfires at The 1st Central County Ground is scheduled to begin at 7pm. A limited number of tickets are available online only. There will be no on-the-day gate sales or collections.

If you are coming to the match, please read this important information for spectators.

If you can’t make the game, a live stream will be available on the Sussex Cricket Match Centre, alongside a video scorecard and live statistics.

Many thanks to match sponsor Harvey's Brewery for their support.