Blake’s belief lifted by T20

SIGHTS now SeT on FoUR-day TeaM ‘If I do get a chance, then I have to go out and play my natural game’

Alex Blake can’t see himself breaking into Kent’s four-day team any time soon despite his 20-over efforts.

Blake led the Spitfires back to the top of the NatWest T20 Blast South Group by hitting 52 not out from 32 balls in a seven-wicket victory at Sussex Sharks last Friday night.

Blake hasn’t featured in the LV= County Championship this summer and feels he needs to do more if he’s to grab a spot.

He said: “I don’t think I’m that close to the four-day team. Weight of runs in the 2nds would help but, if I’m honest, I’ve not done that.

“There’s not been a huge amount of runs around the country in the County Championship but I can only take confidence from my whiteball form and if I do get a chance, then I have to play my natural game and be positive.

“I don’t want anyone to fail and lose their place but I do want to play. I just have to try to do what I can to out-perform others but until I start doing that, I won’t get a spot.

“I enjoy T20 the most. You can’t beat a Friday night at The Oval or Canterbury or Hove. I enjoy the role I’m playing at the moment but would love to play all formats.”

Kent quietened a 6,500 full house at Hove by quickly removing dangerman Luke Wright (12) and Chris Nash (13).

Matt Machan made 39 from 32 balls but Sussex struggled in the middle overs against the accuracy of James Tredwell (2-21) and Darren Stevens (1-19), limping from 44-2 after the powerplay to 82-5 in the 13th over before closing on 136- 8.

Sam Billings (39 not out) was joined by Blake with the reply on 46-3 and the pair shared an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 91 in 8.3 overs to see Spitfires home with 34 balls to spare.

Blake said: “Full credit to the bowlers to restrict Sussex the way we did because they’ve got dangerous players like Luke Wright and Chris Nash and we got them early.

“I always try to give myself a couple of balls to get my eye in but once one came out from the middle of the bat, they kept coming.

“Sam Billings was going well at the other end and before we knew it, the target was well within reach.”

Kent skipper Northeast was also full of praise for the bowlers, especially spinner Tredwell.

He said: “Treddy is just bowling so well in white-ball cricket at the moment. He’s up there with the best in the world and if the pitch has even a little bit of grip and turn, then he’s a class act.

“Stevo (Darren Stevens) also brought all his experience and knew exactly how to bowl on that pitch.”

Kent are back in T20 Blast action tomorrow (Friday) when they host Somerset at Canterbury (7pm).