Unchanged Sharks squad set for top of the table clash

An unchanged Sharks squad will travel to Canterbury on Saturday for a top of the table clash against Kent Spitfires in the Vitality Blast.

Luke Wright’s side, who are now second in the South Group and just one point behind the Spitfires, will be full of confidence after returning to winning ways with an impressive victory over Hampshire on Thursday night.

Luke Wright and David Wiese continued their impressive form with the bat at The Ageas Bowl, while a superb display from the Sussex bowling attack secured a 13-run win.

Sharks squad to face Kent Spitfires:

Luke Wright (C)

Will Beer

Ravi Bopara

Danny Briggs

Ben Brown (WK)

George Garton

Chris Jordan

Calum MacLeod

Stuart Meaker

Tymal Mills

Delray Rawlins

Ollie Robinson

Aaron Thomason

David Wiese

Wright, who now leads the Vitality Blast run-scoring charts after his 83 against Hampshire, said after that match: “It was an important win after the break to win here, especially as the conditions were very much against us.

“My last game before this season was in November but I am lucky I’m not a person who hits lots of balls, I’m more feely with my batting.

“It is nice to come in and contribute, that is what I need to do as captain.”

The opposition

Kent Spitfires sit top of the South Group after a fantastic start to their Vitality Blast campaign. 

So far, they are the only side to beat the Sharks in this year's competition, with that thrilling one-run victory coming at The 1st Central County Ground nine days ago. 

Zak Crawley and Daniel Bell-Drummond impressed on the South Coast, and the opening batsmen have put on a fifty partnership in every Blast match this summer. 

Prior to the win at Hove, the Spitfires were denied almost certain victory in their opening game, when rain saw their match against Hampshire curtailed with just four balls needed for a result, before they were left frustrated again 48 hours later in a tied match vs. Middlesex.

Bell-Drummond's side finally got a deserved victory in their third match when they beat Surrey by five wickets thanks to a vital knock from Heino Kuhn, and after securing the two points at Hove, made it three wins in a row by beating Essex Eagles last Saturday.

It is no surprise that Bell-Drummond, who tops the PCA MVP rankings in the 2020 Vitality Blast, is his side's leading run-scorer with 228 to his name, while with the ball, Fred Klaason tops his side's charts with eight dismissals so far.

Follow the match LIVE

Like all matches in this year’s Vitality Blast, Saturday afternoon's match against Kent Spitfires will be played behind closed doors.

Sharks fans will however be able to enjoy all the action from the comfort of their homes, with a live stream of the game available via our Match Day Centre. There will also be full coverage across the club's social media channels as usual.

The live stream will be synchronised with BBC commentary, with BBC Radio Sussex's Adrian Harms on air when play gets underway at 2pm in Canterbury.