CB40 Match Preview: Sussex Sharks v Kent Spitfires, Monday 16th July, Arundel

Sussex Sharks v Kent Spitfires, Clydesdale Bank 40 – Group C, Arundel, Sussex

Monday, 16 July. 1.45pm – THE MATCH WAS ABANDONED AT 1.45PM

After taking on the South African tourists for three rain-truncated days at Canterbury, Kent return to Clydesdale Bank 40 action with a trip to Arundel, and a date with Sussex as the Spitfires target a place in the semi-finals. Ahead of today’s matches, Kent werethird in Group C – one pace below their latestopponents.

A win will keep the Spitfires in the hunt for a qualifying place, so it’s all to play for at the Arundel Castle Cricket Ground. Kent are currently taking on the touring South Africans in a three-day game at the St Lawrence Ground, while rain ensured the Sharks' Clydesdale Bank 40 fixture against Warwickshire Bears at Edgbaston, on Wednesday, was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Rob Key’s men face a tough task tomorrow to keep the Sussex batsmen in check; they currently have three men in their ranks averagingmore than fifty in CB40 cricket this season. Matt Machan has been a revelation, posting 141 runs, from just three innings, at an average of 70.50. Skipper Michael Yardy averages 61 and the strong batting line-up also features the big-hitting Luke Wright – he is the highest scorer with 176 runs from three knocks.

TheSpitfires have also found form in this season’s competition and Sam Billings, in particular, has shone. The right-hander has scored a hundred runs at an average of exactly fifty, putting him at the top of the Spitfires batting ranks. With the ball Matt Coles has ten scalps to his name, closely followed by James Tredwell with the off-spinner claiming eight victims. For the Sharks, left-arm quick Chris Liddle and spinner Chris Nash share the honours with five wickets each.

Tredwell had the following words, for the Club website, ahead of Kent's return to CB40 action; “We are looking forward to getting back intoit, and County Championship cricket too, as I believe we can be successful in both. We didn't do as well as we hoped in the t20 but a couple of early wins, in this next batch of matches, will lift us up the CB40 table and we just need to keep picking up positive results in the championship to maintain our good start. Sussex will prove stern opponents, because they are a very good side, but we are all looking forward to it. Games between the two counties are always keenly contested and Arundel is a lovely venue.”

Kent have seven qualifying fixtures to play. Each one is crucial as they search for the chance to play in the Lord’s final on 15 September.

PROSPECTS OF PLAY: Sussex Sharks vs Kent Spitfires, Clydesdale Bank 40

MATCH ABANDONED FOLLOWING A PITCHINSPECTION AT 1.45PM

Click here for the Sussex County Cricket Club website