Kent squad to play Derbyshire announced

Kent Cricket returns to LV= County Championship mode once more after Friday night’s 35 run loss to the Sussex Sharks in the NatWest T20 Blast. Kent will be looking to improve on their frustrating, weather related draw in Derby, in May, as they aim to obtain valuable points and move up the second division table.

‘This is Championship match number eight for us so we are half way through the playing season.’ said Head Coach, Jimmy Adams. ‘Now is the time we need to get wins otherwise we will be losing touch with the leading Counties.’

The squad named includes the 11 who played against Glamorgan last week, where Robbie Joseph was a late replacement for Doug Bollinger, who was suffering from a sore shoulder.
Bollinger comes back in to complete the 12 man squad for the game.

The two Counties have been playing each other since 1874, with the first match hosted in Tunbridge Wells at the Common. Of the 131 fixtures Kent has prevailed 53 times, to Derbyshire’s 39 (with 39 draws). For a complete history, click here.

The most recent match held in Canterbury was their 2012 encounter, when top of the table Derbyshire, who were promoted, were beaten by 222 runs. Kent’s first innings 261, bolstered by a Geraint Jones 80 run innings, gave them an initial advantage of 61. The second innings 342 (Sam Northeast 165, Brendan Nash 62), set Derbyshire a daunting target of 404 to win. This was a goal they fell well short of, bundled out for 181, with Darren Stevens taking 4 – 37. To view statistics of matches hosted in Canterbury, click here.

The match will include three unique features. Through the sponsorship of Saga Holidays day one will include the bonus of all over 50s being eligible for a free ticket. To obtain simply click here for the ticketing page, select day one of the match and insert the promotional code SAGA, in the promo box and press apply. Forms can be completed on the gates to also obtain the free over 50s tickets.

Day three, Tuesday 24 June will include Kent Cricket’s and Kent Cricket Board’s ‘Schools’ Day Out’. Approximately 1,500 Kent school children will be guest of the Club in a promotion designed to encourage young people to both play cricket and support their local County team.

The presentation of a mini-van to Shenstone school by the Lord’s Taverners Charity will also feature on day three. The Lord’s Taverners’ provide specially-adapted transport to special schools catering for young people with learning and physical disabilities. This will be van 1,050 to be donated.

The squad to play Derbyshire in the four day LV= County Championship fixture, Sunday 22 – Wednesday 25 June, The Spitfire Ground St Lawrence, Canterbury is:

· Rob Key (c)

· Adam Ball

· Daniel Bell-Drummond

· Sam Billings (w)

· Doug Bollinger

· Mitch Claydon

· Fabian Cowdrey

· Ben Harmison

· Robbie Joseph

· Brendan Nash

· Adam Riley

· Darren Stevens

Injury Update:

Mark Davies and Ivan Thomas unavailable due to injuries