Match Preview: Hampshire v Kent Spitfires - Vitality Blast

Hampshire return to the The Ageas Bowl on Friday evening as they take on Kent Spitfires in a must-win Vitality Blast South-Group clash.

Hampshire Squad:

An unchanged 15-man squad has been named for Friday’s encounter and James Vince’s side will be looking to turn good individual performances from Chris Wood, Liam Dawson and Vince against Somerset on Wednesday into a good team performance now back on home turf.

Wood sent wickets tumbling at Taunton, claiming his maiden T20 five-wicket haul with an excellent performance with the ball, whilst Liam Dawson, who record an 82-run partnership with Vince (74), batted brilliantly to record a career-high knock of 82.

Colin Munro makes his final appearance this week, as the New Zealander departs for the Caribbean Premier League following the fixture against Kent Spitfires.

The Opposition:

Kent Spitfires will be looking to get their Blast campaign up and running again after their last match was abandoned and the two previous contests also ended with no result – Sam Billings’ side’s last completed Blast match was their three-run final-ball victory against Hampshire three weeks ago.

The Spitfires currently sit third in the South-Group with all-rounder Joe Denly crucial to their campaign so far. The vice-captain currently tops the list of Spitfires run-getters so far this campaign and is also the leading wicket-taker with nine scalps.

Did You Know?

• Chris Wood has taken 15 wickets against Kent in T20, equalling Middlesex as the bowler’s most lucrative opponent.
• In the last ten T20 games at the The Ageas Bowl between Hampshire and Kent, both sides have five wins apiece.
• Liam Dawson stuck a superb 75 in Hampshire’s narrow Blast defeat to Kent Spitfires earlier this season.

Full Hampshire Squad

Coverage

Hampshire Cricket’s social media channels will provide updates throughout both match. Ball-by-ball coverage and match highlights can be found at ageasbowl.com/cricket.

BBC Radio Solent also offers ball-by-ball commentary online at bbc.co.uk.

Weather Forecast:

Follow the link for the latest weather forecast for the The Ageas Bowl: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcp185f25

Tickets:

Tickets for Friday’s match against Kent Spitfires and Hampshire’s other Vitality Blast matches at The Ageas Bowl can be purchased online via the link below, over the phone 0844 847 1863, or by visiting the The Ageas Bowl’s Ticketing & Membership Office via normal working hours.