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Match Preview: Hampshire v Sussex Sharks & Kent Spitfires v Hampshire - Vitality Blast
Match Preview: Hampshire v Sussex Sharks & Kent Spitfires v Hampshire - Vitality Blast
A 14-man squad has been named for Hampshire's two Vitality Blast matches this week
Hampshire will be looking to bounce-back from last week’s opening day defeat against Glamorgan, as they prepare to face Sussex Sharks and Kent Spitfires in two huge Vitality Blast fixtures this Thursday and Friday.
Hampshire Squad:
An unchanged 14-man squad has been named for both matches with Joe Weatherley, Ryan Stevenson, and Sean Ervine included alongside the final XI from last Friday’s match-up.
New signings Colin Munro and Mujeeb Ur Rahman both picked up their first Hampshire wicket in their opening over last week and the duo are set to make their second and third appearances for the Club this week.
The Opposition:
Sussex Sharks
After a disappointing 2017 campaign which saw them knocked out in the group-stages for a second consecutive season, Sussex Sharks will be searching for all-round improvement this year, and with overseas spin sensation Rashid Khan joining young gun Joffra Archer and T20 specialist Tymal Mills in their ranks, the visitors are certain not to be short of world-class options with the ball.
The ever-reliable Luke Wright provides a threat at the top of the order with the bat, whilst the hard-hitting Laurie Evans could also be a valuable component to Ben Brown’s line-up having made a half-century in last week’s curtain-raiser against Essex Eagles.
Kent Spitfires
Kent Spitfires will be looking to build on their excellent start to this summer’s competition on Friday, having claimed two wins from their opening two contests last week.
Sam Billings’ side head to Beckenham for their first home match of the campaign with a number of players in good form, including vice-captain Joe Denly who struck a century before taking a stunning hattrick in Kent’s curtain-raiser.
Denly is joined at the top of the order by the dangerous Daniel Bell-Drummond, whilst prolific run-scorer Heido Kuhn adds further fire-power to the Spitfire’s line-up alongside hard-hitting overseas all-rounder, Carlos Brathwaite.
Did You Know?
Kyle Abbott averages just 10.55 with the ball in T20 matches against Sussex Sharks, with his career-best figures of 5-14 in this format coming against the visitors.
Hampshire have lost just two of their previous 16 T20 fixtures against Sussex Sharks.
Five of the last seven Blast games between Hampshire and Kent Spitfires have been won by the away side.
Full Hampshire Squad:
Colin Munro (82)
Lewis McManus (18)
Chris Wood (25)
Rilee Rossouw (30)
Sam Northeast
Joe Weatherley (5)
Gareth Berg (13)
Ryan Stevenson (47)
James Vince (14) Captain
Liam Dawson (8)
Sean Ervine (7)
Kyle Abbott (51)
Tom Alsop (9)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman (88)
Coverage:
Match updates will be available via the Hampshire Cricket social media channels, whilst ball-by-ball coverage and match highlights will be available at ageasbowl.com/cricket.
There will be ball-by-ball commentary available on BBC Radio Solent online at bbc.co.uk.
Tickets: Tickets and passports for Hampshire’s Vitality Blast matches at the The Ageas Bowl can be purchased online via the link below, over the phone on 0844 847 1863, or by visiting the The Ageas Bowl’s Ticketing & Membership Office via normal working hours.
Tickets for Friday’s match against Kent Spitfires can be purchased online here.
