Vitality t20 Blast 2019 – Kent Spitfires vs Gloucestershire Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Kent Spitfires vs Gloucestershire taking place? Thursday 29th August, 19:00 (UK)
Where is Kent Spitfires vs Gloucestershire taking place? The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury
What is the expected weather for Kent Spitfires vs Gloucestershire? 18c and sunny with a moderate breeze
What television channel is Kent Spitfires vs Gloucestershire on? Kent Spitfires vs Gloucestershire will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Kent Spitfires vs Gloucestershire? N/A
Where can I get tickets for Kent Spitfires vs Gloucestershire? Check https://www.ecb.co.uk/T20-Blast for updates about tickets
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: Kent Spitfires W8, Gloucestershire W8
Last meeting: Gloucestershire beat Kent Spitfires by 5 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
KENT SPITFIRES
- Kent Spitfires suffered an agonising one-run defeat against Surrey in their last Vitality Blast match and whilst they remain third in the Southern Group, their last win was against Middlesex all the way back on August 1st so they will want to regain some confidence with a win here.
- The bowling of Kent was a huge weakness against Surrey with the likes of Fredrick Klaassen and Matthew Milnes being hit for well over 10 runs an over and they will need to tighten up in this game.
- Having suffered in recent matches due to the loss of overseas player Mohammad Nabi, Kent have signed South African captain Faf du Plessis for the remainder of their Blast campaign and the former Lancashire player is expected to make his debut in this game.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
- Gloucestershire continued their recent Vitality Blast winning run with a 25-run win over local rivals Somerset to cement their place in the top four of the Southern Group and they will aim for a win here to seal their knockout place.
- Captain Michael Klinger marked what could be his final innings at the Bristol County Ground with 74 runs from 52 balls and alongside Miles Hammond at the top of the order, will be hoping to get Gloucestershire off to a flier once again in this game.
- All-rounder Benny Howell remains out injured for Gloucestershire but other than that, they have no injury problems as they look to secure their spot in the quarter finals with victory against a direct rival for the knockouts.
THE PREDICTION
This is set to be a tense battle between 2nd and 3rd in the South Group with the winner sealing their place in the quarter-finals. After a terrific start which saw Kent Spitfires win their first five Vitality Blast matches, they have since stuttered and have lost their last four completed games. Despite the signing of Du Plessis, it is hard to see them getting back on a track against a Gloucestershire side who have won their last three games unaffected by the weather.
Things look to be clicking into place at just the right time for Gloucestershire and they should be able to take advantage of a Kent Spitfire side low on confidence and pick up the win here.
