Kentish Express Ashford & District
Walker lauds Key captaincy
Kent Spitfires assistant coach Matt Walker was singing the praises of captain Rob Key after the Royal London One-Day Cup quarter-final success over Gloucestershire at Canterbury last Friday.
Walker says it’s something Key thoroughly deserves, although Walker admits he’ll probably get some stick from the captain for saying it.
He said: “Keysey doesn’t like it when you talk him up but I thought he produced an absolute master class in captaincy when we were in the field.
“He was calm under pressure when Gloucestershire came out all guns blazing at the start of their run chase and he ensured our heads didn’t drop.
‘It was a stunning example of captaincy and I know he’ll give it to me for saying it’
“He never stopped trying things and was always one step ahead of the game.
“Basically those tactics and the leadership he displayed led to us squeezing the life out of them (Gloucestershire) with our best performance in the field in this competition to-date.
“It was a stunning example of captaincy and I know he’ll give it (stick) to me for saying it.”
Walker said he was also thrilled to see the younger members of the squad produce major contributions in the 24-run win.
He said: “The wicket was slow and far from ideal for one-day cricket and it suited the Gloucestershire attack. Batting was never going to be easy.
“But Sam (Northeast), Fabian (Cowdrey) and Sam (Billings) batted superbly given the conditions.
“That cameo of brilliance from Sam (Billings) was the difference between the sides. He has such faith in his game right now.”
But it wasn’t only the batsmen Walker praised – two bowlers got their fair share.
He said: “Ben (Harmison) and David (Griffiths) held their nerve and bowled well when they were under pressure when Gloucestershire kept trying to get back in the game.”
Two of cricket’s most storied counties will be seeking to add another Lord’s final appearance to their honours board today (Thursday).
The Royal London One-Day Cup game against Warwickshire Bears at Edgbaston will be Kent’s first semi-final appearance in any format since 2009, while they suffered a five-wicket defeat against Essex in the Friends Provident Trophy final at Lord’s the year before.
The Spitfires are seeking a 15th appearance in a List A final, while the Bears are seeking to appear in their 17th showpiece.
With the final ODI of the series against India scheduled for Friday at Headingley, Kent hope James Tredwell will be given permission to play after being omitted from Tuesday’s fourth ODI at Edgbaston.
Bears star Ian Bell also missed out through injury, although Chris Woakes of the host club did feature.
Former England man Jonathan Trott and in-form Rikki Clarke are set to feature for a side chasing an historic treble, having won the NatWest T20 Blast already and they are well-placed in the LV= County Championship Division 1.
Kent have a good recent away record against Warwickshire, winning three and tying one of their last five List A games at Edgbaston, although Warwickshire have won three of their four one-day semifinals in the last 10 years.
Kent members can gain access to the game – which starts at 2pm – for free, while fans with a stub from the abandoned group match game between the sides at Rugby School can also get in free. Other adult tickets cost £10.
The victor will meet the winner of Saturday’s semi-final between Durham and Nottinghamshire at Chester-le-Street in the final at Lord’s on September 20.