Spitfires reach One-Day Cup quarter-finals with super 7-wicket win at Sussex
Tuesday 2nd August 2016
Kent Spitfires reached a third Royal London One-Day Cup quarterfinal in a row with a convincing seven-wicket win against Sussex Sharks at Hove.
A third wicket stand of 103 in 112 balls between Sam Northeast (66*) and Sam Billings provided the platform for Kent’s comfortable victory in a match reduced to 43 overs because of rain.
The Spitfires attack bowled brilliantly to restrict the hosts to 182 for 8 as Matt Coles claimed the 100th List A wicket of his career on his way to becoming the tournament’s top wicket-taker.
The Sussex innings revolved around two partnerships, one of 68 in 16 overs for the fourth wicket between Harry Finch and Craig Cachopa and another of 50 for the fifth wicket between Finch and Fynn Hudson-Prentice.
Almost immediately, Sussex were floundering at 5 for 3 in the fifth over. Matt Coles, generating pace and bounce from the Cromwell Road end, dismissed both openers in his first two overs.
First Luke Wright, surprised by the bounce, edged behind to Billings, who took the ball one-handed high to his right.
In his next over Coles shaped one across the left-handed Wells and Billings again took the catch. Then Davis was athletically caught by Alex Blake at midwicket off Mitchell Claydon for a duck.
But Finch and Cachopa, both cutting well against the shorter delivery, revived the innings until the unlucky Cachopa had his off-stump knocked back by one that kept low from Darren Stevens.
Finch went on to make 54 from 88 balls and Hudson-Prentice scored a stylish 48 off 54 deliveries but there wasn’t much more batting from Sussex as the impressive Coles finished with 4 for 39.
When Kent batted they lost Daniel Bell-Drummond, bowled by Ollie Robinson for 14, and Joe Denly, who was given out caught behind off Sakande for 24 after a long consultation between the umpires.
But Northeast, with an unbeaten 66 from 77 deliveries, with five fours and a straight six off Danny Briggs, and Billings, who hit eight fours in a fluent 55, made sure there would no slip-up.
When Billings was bowled by Davis they required just another 29 runs and they got home with 11.1 overs to spare.
The quarter-final will be played on Wednesday 17 or Thursday 18 August at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.
It will be an all-ticket match. Ticket details to go on sale at www.kentcricketshop.co.uk on Wednesday 3 August.