20 year-old Kai Smith, the Warwickshire keeper, came over from the UAE some half a dozen or so years ago, went to school in Kent, was coached by the former head of our Academy, Simon Willis and played for Sandwich in the Kent League. I'm not sure how he ended up at Warwickshire and perhaps having Billings, Cox and Robinson was a distraction but he has been scoring runs regularly for them.
Kent have suggested a 100 franchise based at an expanded Beckenham.
Something has to happen, as the county is drifting, and to me Canterbury is part of the problem. Not near to the most populous parts of the historic Kent area, and the ground itself is very old fashioned without being especially quaint.
With the cathedral in the background, Lime tree, St Lawrence is the definition of quaint
The cathedral is over a mile from the ground! And the replacement tree isn't on the outfield and has retirement flats behind it.
Kent have done well to drag this back. The spinners did well with Parky's figures very impressive. They'll do well keep a lid on it from here. Fingers crossed!
As mentioned above, given that they were 98-0 off 14, we've done very well to limit them to that total. There is definitely spin out there which probably makes it as important that we get a decent start in the Power Play when the seamers will probably be in operation. Dawkins is more than capable of doing that if it's his day.
Feels like we must lose wickets in the 50s more than any other side, happens almost time anyone reaches their half century
It's not just 50s. We had, in the previous two games, half a dozen innings where batters got to between 34 and 49. Those scores are the equivalent of being "in".
It really is So painful watching Jack leaning bat now a days isn’t it
It is. Bowled well today but that's not his first discipline. Of course, he was dropped in the CC and with Compton, Crawley, Muyeye, DBD, Billings and Joe Denly available he wouldn't be in the side. We are a bit unfortunate that, for one reason or another, we appear to have the whole of our top order out at the moment.
Ekansh bowled for 42 (54). So that's consecutive scores of 49, 27, 33, 48, 45 & 42 for Kent 1s - shame he's not converting but if all our batters averaged more than 40 we wouldn't be in the situation we are right now.
Ekansh bowled for 42 (54). So that's consecutive scores of 49, 27, 33, 48, 45 & 42 for Kent 1s - shame he's not converting but if all our batters averaged more than 40 we wouldn't be in the situation we are right now.
197-8 (37.5)
It's odd that he keeps getting in, yet has failed to make a 50 yet. Is it a concentration or fitness issue at the moment?
Ekansh bowled for 42 (54). So that's consecutive scores of 49, 27, 33, 48, 45 & 42 for Kent 1s - shame he's not converting but if all our batters averaged more than 40 we wouldn't be in the situation we are right now.
197-8 (37.5)
It's odd that he keeps getting in, yet has failed to make a 50 yet. Is it a concentration or fitness issue at the moment?
He's always been like that. Always leaves you wanting more! Nothing to do with fitness but concentration and shot selection specifically has been a bit of an issue when he has to force it. But I have absolutely no doubt that he will get there. He's too good a player not to and when he does, eventually, he will go big.
We are honestly on par with minor counties now (must be the worst Kent team of all time?), another pitiful defeat against an average team. The players are mostly not county-level, the board and coaching are pathetic, we need major reforms in all facets, or this is only going to get worse. Cook and Hollioake surely first on the chopping board?
So hard to judge Hollioake in my (completely amateur and unqualified) opinion as it doesn't feel like he's been given the tools he needs, if a large chunk of the players aren't good enough what can he do?
So hard to judge Hollioake in my (completely amateur and unqualified) opinion as it doesn't feel like he's been given the tools he needs, if a large chunk of the players aren't good enough what can he do?
True, but we are way worse than we were under Walker last season with more or less the same side.
Thank goodness the mighty Addicks have made a good start, because the Spitfires are just second best in every game they play.
I said this a few months ago, but it's impossible for Charlton AND Kent to be good at the same time. And Charlton being really good in 2025 means that Kent have to be extra bad...
So hard to judge Hollioake in my (completely amateur and unqualified) opinion as it doesn't feel like he's been given the tools he needs, if a large chunk of the players aren't good enough what can he do?
True, but we are way worse than we were under Walker last season with more or less the same side.
We finished third bottom in the Metro table, bottom of the Blast table and bottom in the CC. We won 8/36 matches in total. We've won 9/28 so far this season.
Both seasons have been disastrous but I've countless times given the reasons how and why this has happened. It has nothing to do with the coaches.
Comments
Evison with one wicket and Jaydn, given a bowl for the first time in this competition, currently has 2-7
As mentioned above, given that they were 98-0 off 14, we've done very well to limit them to that total. There is definitely spin out there which probably makes it as important that we get a decent start in the Power Play when the seamers will probably be in operation. Dawkins is more than capable of doing that if it's his day.
Dawkins out for 8 followed by both Evison and Benjamin going first ball.
97-3 (16.5)
Finch out for 50 (61)
130-5 (23.1)
153-6 (28.3)
112 needed off 18 overs
176-7 (32.5)
197-8 (37.5)
Taz Ali takes 5 wickets for the second consecutive game. And he's 19.
Both seasons have been disastrous but I've countless times given the reasons how and why this has happened. It has nothing to do with the coaches.