Matthew Panting

2 weeks ago | kentonline.co.uk | Matthew Panting

Kent Spitfires suffered their second loss of the Vitality Blast at the hands of Surrey on Thursday. The lost a final-ball thriller at The Oval by four wickets after Laurie Evans again produced a match-winning innings with the bat. Kent replaced England-bound Zak Crawley with Harry Finch and Nathan Gilchrist came in for Fred Klaassen from the side that beat Hampshire on Sunday. While Kent lost one player to England, Surrey gained one as Will Jacks returned to their line-up from international duty.

2 weeks ago | kentonline.co.uk | Matthew Panting

Ebbsfleet have signed midfielder Jake Hessenthaler ahead of the new National League South season. Manager Josh Wright’s fourth new recruit of the close season is 31-year-old Hessenthaler, who has spent the past two seasons with Dagenham & Redbridge. Like Ebbsfleet, Hessenthaler suffered relegation last season so the midfielder will come up against his former club this season in Fleet colours.

2 weeks ago | kentonline.co.uk | Matthew Panting

Kent’s Zak Crawley admitted he feels nervous playing for the county because he’s so keen to do well. The 27-year-old England international hit a match-winning 75 not out to guide Spitfires to an eight-wicket Vitality Blast victory over Hampshire at Canterbury on Sunday. It was a fourth and final T20 outing for Crawley this summer as he heads off to prepare for the Test series against India. But he was delighted to make his mark for Kent after struggling in last year’s Blast.

2 weeks ago | kentonline.co.uk | Matthew Panting

Adam Hollioake returns to Surrey as an opposition coach for the first time this week - but insists he’s too old for emotions. The Kent head coach takes the Spitfires to The Oval on Thursday in the Vitality Blast. Hollioake won nine trophies during a seven-year spell as Surrey captain. The 53-year-old will be in the opposition dressing room this time around but claimed he’ll see it as just another game. “It's a game of cricket,” stated Hollioake.

2 weeks ago | kentonline.co.uk | Matthew Panting

Kent and England’s Zak Crawley deserves to succeed because of the hard work he puts into his game. That’s the verdict of Kent head coach Adam Hollioake as Crawley ended his latest run of games with the county to link up with the England Test squad for the home series with India. Crawley started the summer under pressure following a tough winter but scored 124 for England in the dominant win over Zimbabwe and has continued his good form for Kent in the T20 Blast.