Pre-Match Pack: Kent

Derbyshire have named a 12-man squad for tomorrow’s Royal London Cup fixture against Kent at The Incora County Ground (11am). 

Shan Masood continues to captain the side in the absence of Billy Godleman, who doesn’t feature as a Covid-19 precaution, while Mark Watt (Scotland) and Mitch Wagstaff (England under 19s) are away on international duty.

Having struck a century in the victory over Worcestershire, Luis Reece will be looking to carry his good form into the final three group stage games.

Sam Conners and Ben Aitchison have been in fine form with the new ball, claiming a combined 14 wickets and each boasting an average of 23 or below.

Archie Harrison became the latest Cricket Derbyshire Academy, in partnership with the University of Derby, graduate to make his first team debut on Sunday, and the youngster is again named in the squad to face Kent.

Alex Thomson has been experiencing knee pain which is preventing him from performing at the maximum level. He will miss the game against Kent at The Incora County Ground.

Derbyshire Squad:

94. Shan Masood (c)
24. Tom Wood
4. Harry Came
10. Luis Reece
29. Brooke Guest (wk)
18. Alex Hughes
65. Anuj Dal
21. Mattie McKiernan
59. Sam Conners
11. Ben Aitchison
26. Nick Potts
13. Archie Harrison

The Opposition

Kent are second from bottom but, like Derbyshire, could jump into the top three with a win at The Incora County Ground.

Kent’s Ollie Robinson has scored 310 runs at an average of 77.50 and a high-score of 206 not out against Worcestershire in the opening game of the competition.

Robinson also has one half-century to his name in this year’s Royal London Cup, while Ben Compton has continued his stellar season with the bat by scoring three half-centuries in five innings.

Former Derbyshire spinner, Hamidullah Qadri, is Kent’s leading wicket-taker with nine dismissals, while Joey Evison, Navdeep Saini and Nathan Gilchrist all have four wickets apiece.

Pre-Match Talk

All-rounder, Luis Reece, says Derbyshire’s victory over Worcestershire could be the catalyst for Derbyshire’s push for progression in the Royal London Cup, after a couple of frustrating defeats. 

Reece top-scored with 136 in a dominant 47-run win at New Road, which halted a run of two defeats to Lancashire and Hampshire, both of which saw Derbyshire in winning positions early on.

Reece was pleased the team managed to get over the line against Worcestershire and says that ruthlessness will be needed in the remaining three group stage fixtures.

“There are a couple of games we’ve let slip which I know has been away at the lads. To get over the line here, and get a result on the board, will hopefully kick start this competition for us.

“The group is close and every game is like a knockout game from now on in. We’ve played good cricket in all games but just let two games slip. That is frustrating because even if one of them is a win it makes things a bit easier.”

“It was nice to get a century but the important thing is they counted towards a victory. This is something I’ve been waiting for all year, so to get one on the board is a nice feeling.”

How to follow

Derbyshire’s Royal London Cup fixtures against Kent will be covered live on the club website, through our improved Match Centre, delivered in partnership with Purpose Media.

Our Match Centre includes Live Streaming, in-play live scorecards, ball by ball commentary and statistics, everything you need to stay up-to-date, no matter where you’re following from!

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