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Vitality Blast Preview | Gloucestershire vs Kent Spitfires

4 July 2024

Gloucestershire host the visit of Kent Spitfires in the Vitality Blast as the Towergate Cheltenham Cricket Festival continues on Friday 5th July.

Mark Alleyne’s side go into the match fresh off the back of three straight wins in T20 competition, the most recent being the thrilling five-wicket victory over local rivals Somerset. The other two wins, which followed a nail-biting tie away at Surrey, came in the reverse fixture against Kent Spitfires and in Cardiff against Glamorgan.

Heroics from Ben Charlesworth and Ollie Price saw Gloucestershire claim a memorable victory over Somerset, a result that has led to Gloucestershire climbing to fifth place in the South Group table on nine points from eight matches. Surrey currently lead the way on 13 points while Kent sit second bottom on four points.

A win against Kent Spitfires could see Gloucestershire leapfrog Somerset into third place, depending on results elsewhere.

TEAM NEWS

Mark Alleyne selects a 15-man squad for the first T20 in Cheltenham, with Dom Goodman appearing in a white-ball squad for the first time this season. Jack Taylor captains a side that could include the heroic duo Ben Charlesworth and Ollie Price, whose famous 82-run partnership steered Glos to victory over their West Country rivals.

Your 15-man squad to face Kent Spitfires:

J Taylor*, Akhter, Bancroft, Bracey†, B Charlesworth, de Lange, Hammond, Payne, O Price, Shaw, Singh Dale, M Taylor, van Buuren, Webster

OUR OPPONENTS

Kent Spitfires go into the match against Gloucestershire having lost their last five Vitality Blast matches. Their only two wins so far in this year’s competition have come against Middlesex and, most recently, against Somerset in Taunton almost a month ago.

Kent will feel a win is needed at Cheltenham College should they wish to mount a late push for the all-important top four qualifying places.

LAST MEETING

Miles Hammond hit a quickfire 80 in the reverse fixture as Gloucestershire won the first of a three game winning run in Canterbury. Hammond ensured Shire strolled to a nine-wicket victory after Matt Taylor's three wickets helped bowl Kent out for just 125 in the first innings.

HOW TO WATCH

Gloucestershire will take on Kent Spitfires in the Vitality Blast at Cheltenham College, Cheltenham, from 2:30pm tomorrow, Friday 5th July.

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