We’ve nothing to lose

COACH WALKER SAYS KENT HAVE TO GO FOR BROKE TO REVIVE T20 HOPES Youngster Ben among title winners

Kent assistant coach Matt Walker admits ‘frustrated’ Kent have ‘nothing to lose’ as they seek to return to the knockout-stages of Natwest T20 Blast.

The Spitfires have lost six of nine games in South Group –which they topped last season – and need to close at least a three-point gap to reach the top-four, despite having played a game more than their rivals.

Kent visit Somerset on Thursday (5.30pm) and Gloucestershire the following day (6.30pm) and Walker admitted: “These are two very important games to get our T20 campaign back on track.

“The raw truth is we probably have to win every game – all five of them – to qualify, but that’s what we want to do, that is our Plan A.

“The boys know what we have to do, they know they have to keep the pressure on.

“If we don’t win then that will probably be the end of us, but we’ll not give up.

“We’ll keep playing and trying to win, because that’s what we do, and there’s still the 50-over competition. We have a good chance in that and with a few wins in our last five in the Championship and we are right in with a shout there too.”

He added: “We have had some good success in white-ball cricket against Somerset, particularly at Taunton, and we will go there full of confidence.

“The two games are different kettles of fish as Gloucestershire have been something of a bogey team for us in one-day cricket the past couple of seasons.

“We have got nothing to lose really. We know the equation. We need to get on a roll but the only way to do that is take it one game at a time. Sometimes teams playing with absolute freedom at this stage of the competition are the most dangerous.”

Walker claimed the standard of the South Group had gone up this year, but admitted Kent had fallen short of their own high standards too often.

He added: “T20 is a volatile competition and the margins are very small, but we have not put the total package together – batting and bowling – enough times this year. It’s frustrating.

“I think the bottom line is teams have improved. They have invested well. To do what we did last year, when I think we were the best

‘We probably have to win every game’

T20 team in the country, with no overseas, was a very special thing to do.”

Kent’s players get four days off after the Bristol game and Walker admitted: “It’s been a tough period for us. We have played a lot of cricket – 18 out of the last 22 days and it is demanding. It has an impact on the boys.

“We have spent a lot of time in the middle and working hard, it’s been intense. We have picked up some injuries and a few other things have gone on – it’s been a struggle.”

Matt Coles remains unavailable due to a disciplinary matter though Daniel Bell-drummond (thumb) and Calum Haggett (ankle) could return for the Championship clash with Sussex at Tunbridge Wells on Sunday, July 17.