T20 Blast 2022 | KEN vs ESS | Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

Defending champions Kent Spitfires will take on the Essex Eagles in Match no. 12 of the ongoing T20 Blast 2022 on Friday, May 27, at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury.

The Spitfires lost their opening match of the season to Somerset. On the back of Rilee Rossouw’s 81*, Somerset defeated Sam Billings-led side by eight wickets in the final over. While the upcoming match marks the second game of this year’s edition for the Spitfires, it will be the opening match for the Essex Eagles.

In a home game for Kent, they will be looking to register their opening points of the season after a heavy defeat to Somerset. On the other hand, the visitors will be aiming for a string of wins upfront to rectify their disappointing 2021 campaign, where they failed to make it to the top 4.

Match Details

Match: Kent Spitfires vs Essex Eagles, Match 14

Venue: St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury

Date & Time: May 27 at 11:30 PM IST

Live Streaming: FanCode and ECB website.

Pitch Report

The conditions at Canterbury’s St Lawrence Ground are conducive to batters, with some assistance for seamers. The only T20 match played at the venue earlier this season saw the team batting first put on 162. However, the chasing team overhauled the total with five balls to spare in the second innings.

Considering the recent result, the captain winning the toss here will be looking to bowl first.

Head-To-Head

The two teams have faced each other 37 times across the English T20 competition. The Kent Spitfires won 20 of those, while Essex Eagles claimed 15 victories. Two of the matches ended up with no results. The defending champions are also leading by 4-1 in the previous five games between the two sides.

Squads 

Kent: Zak Crawley, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Joe Denly, Jack Leaning, Sam Billings (c & wk), Jordan Cox, George Linde, Grant Stewart, Qais Ahmad, Matt Milnes, Fred Klaassen, Alex Blake, Tawanda Muyeye, Matthew Quinn, Darren Stevens.

Essex: Ben Allison, Aaron Beard, William Buttleman, Sam Cook, Matt Critchley, Robin Das, Simon Harmer (c), Feroze Khushi, Dan Lawrence, Michael Pepper, Jack Plom, Jamie Porter, Adam Rossington, Josh Rymell, Daniel Sams, Shane Snater, Paul Walter, Tom Westley, Adam Wheater (wk)

Probable Playing XI

Kent: Zak Crawley, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Joe Denly, Jack Leaning, Sam Billings (c & wk), Jordan Cox, George Linde, Grant Stewart, Qais Ahmad, Matt Milnes, Fred Klaassen

Essex: Adam Rossington, Adam Wheater (wk), Will Buttleman, Dan Lawrence, Tom Westley, Matt Critchley, Michael Pepper, Simon Harmer (c), Aron Nijjar, Daniel Sams, Sam Cook

CREX XI Suggestion

Wicket-Keeper: Adam Wheater

Batters: Zak Crawley (c), Jack Leaning, Dan Lawrence, Michael Pepper

All-Rounders: George Linde, Grant Stewart

Bowlers: Simon Harmer (vc), Sam Cook, Matt Milnes, Fred Klaassen

Captain: Zak Crawley

Vice-Captain: Simon Harmer