Spitfires set to maintain youth policy

James Tredwell says the Spitfires will continue to focus on youth as their ill-fated Friends Life t20 campaign enters the final straight. The result of last night’s (Wednesday) clash with Sussex Sharks at Canterbury was set to go a long way in deciding who finishes bottom of South Division. Going into the game, Sussex had lost seven of eight games with Spitfires making it one win from six, their sole victory coming at Hampshire last Sunday. Kent skipper Tredwell was set to miss the Sharks game with an ankle injury picked up at Southampton but will be assessed ahead of the Spitfires’ match against Surrey at The Oval on Friday night (7pm). Kent host Hampshire Royals in a televised game at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, on Monday (7.10pm) and complete the group stage against Sussex at Hove on Wednesday (7pm). Tredwell called for top-order runs from his side ahead of last Sunday’s game against Hampshire and rested Rob Key and Sam Northeast while handing Daniel BellDrummond and Fabian Cowdrey their first Friends Life t20 starts. Tredwell said: “Fabian has been in good form, scored a lot of runs lately and at some stage you have to take notice. “They have both shown glimpses of what they can do and I’d imagine we’ll be seeing more of them in this competition this season. “For them to start the way they did at Hampshire (opening with a quick halfcentury stand) was amazing, I guess it was the exuberance of youth – they played with no fear. “The only way to find out if players are good enough is by playing them.”