Sharks vs Kent Spitfires

Sharks vs Kent: Match Preview

The Sharks are back in action tomorrow at The 1st Central County Ground, taking on Kent Spitfires in the last of the initial seven Blast group games. Paul Farbrace has named an unchanged squad from the Surrey game last week. 

Squad

Alsop, Carson, Carter, Coles, Crocombe, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Karvelas, Lamb, Lenham, McAndrew, Mills (c), Robinson, Simpson (wk), Ward

Our Opponents - Kent Spitfires

Previewed by Fred Atkins - ECB Reporters Network

Captain: Sam Billings

Overseas players: Xavier Bartlett (Australia), Wes Agar (Australia), Charlie Stobo (Australia), Beyers Swanepoel (South Africa)

Finals Day appearances: Four (2007, 2008, 2009, 2021)

Titles: Two (2007, 2021)

2023 finish: Fifth (South Group)

2023 leading run-scorer: Daniel Bell-Drummond (600)

2023 leading wicket-taker: Grant Stewart (24)

Key winter moves: Jordan Cox may have defected to Essex, but Matt Parkinson’s arrival from Lancashire provides the frontline spin option that George Linde conspicuously didn’t last year. The overseas players will be rotated, with Bartlett limited to eight appearances and Swanepoel expected to provide some lower-order pyrotechnics.

The big question: Will the rotation policy actually work? At the very least it has to be an improvement on the negligible contributions provided by Linde and an injured Kane Richardson last season. The Spitfires’ form improved significantly after Agar was drafted in from the red-ball squad. 

Wildcard watch: The obvious choice is Jack Leaning, but Grant Stewart and Joey Evison can also bat and bowl, as can Joe Denly. A real wildcard choice as a specialist spinner would be Parkinson. He has 139 Blast wickets at 18.96 and has significantly improved his batting over the winter.

Final thought: The Blast brings first-class sport to an area 50 miles from the nearest Premier League football and rugby grounds, and 55 from the nearest franchise. The Spitfire Ground is a sold-out bearpit on Blast nights and the Spitfires are a genuine title chance.

Tickets for Sharks vs Kent selling FAST!

Tickets for Thursday night's clash at The 1st Central County Ground with Kent are selling quickly!

Grab yours today via our ticketing website, to avoid disappointment. Don't forget, if you're coming as a group of 6 or more, you'll save 10% on your booking! 

Cant make the game?

As ever, you can catch all of the action, free of charge on our livestream via our Match Day Centre. The first ball is at 7pm.