Bowlers star to secure win

Kent Spitfires produced a battling bowling display to edge a vital 10-run win against Sussex Sharks at Canterbury in Natwest T20 Blast last Thursday. A star-studded affair in South Group saw both sides fielding a swathe of international talent as Kent debutant Kagiso Rabada made an immediate impact. The South African claimed 2-31, though it was a crucial turn of 2-8 from two overs – including the scalp of dangerman Ross Taylor (49) – by Fabian Cowdrey that turned the tide in Kent’s favour. Tymal Mills had earlier been in imperious form to help restrict Kent to a total of 166-6 which looked a tad below par, despite a record opening stand for Kent against Sussex of 97 by Joe Denly and, in just his third T20 appearance for Kent, Tom Latham. Sam Billings showed off some of his IPL party pieces and made 22 from 12 balls before mistiming a full-toss down the throat of Matt Machan off Nuwan Kulasekara. Darren Stevens sent Chris Jordan straight to Kulasekara on the long-on boundary to leave the hosts on 143-5 with 13 balls left while Cowdrey (0) was bowled by Mills. Kent were indebted to Alex Blake (36 not out) for guiding them to 166-6. Only eight balls of the reply had been bowled when the game was halted by bright sunshine coming low over the Frank Woolley Stand which led to a 17-minute delay. When play resumed it didn’t take long for Rabada to make an impression as he produced a superb inswinging yorker to rearrange Nash’s stumps. Another 10-minute interruption for sun glare from the Sky Sports gantry was followed by another wicket for the debutant as his 90mph pace was glanced into the sky for the scrambing David Griffiths to take a stunning catch on the dive over his shoulder at deep third man. Taylor and Phil Salt (18) steadied the ship and guided Sussex to 67-2 from 10 overs, leaving them 100 to find from the final 10. At 95-3 the visitors still needed 72 from the final seven overs but, when Cowdrey skidded one on to trap Taylor for 49, Kent took control.