Thomas’ night to remember

Kent paceman Ivan Thomas admitted he struggled to sleep after captain Sam Northeast told him last Wednesday that he was going to make his T20 debut in the NatWest T20 Blast South Group with Essex at Canterbury 24 hours later.

But the 23-year-old didn’t struggle when Northeast threw him the ball for the fifth over.

He trapped big-hitting New Zealand international Jesse Ryder leg before for 26 with his third ball.

Ryder, who had hammered Mitch Claydon for five consecutive fours in the previous over, was deceived by a slower ball.

Thomas’ impressive first over went for just one run, his second for only four before he finally finished his four overs with 1-22 including nine dot balls.

Although Thomas didn’t appear nervous on his big night, which ended with a six-wicket triumph for his side, he said he owed his housemate, opener Daniel Bell-Drummond, plenty of credit for that.

He said: “I was on such a high when Sam (Northeast) told me I was playing as I didn’t expect to play much white ball cricket this season – I just couldn’t get to sleep as I was so excited.

“I kept thinking about what I had to do over and over again and who I might be bowling to.

“I was still buzzing on the day of the match and Dan certainly calmed me down because I just couldn’t wait to get to the ground and get going.

“He (Bell-Drummond) did a great job and so did Mitch (Claydon) when I arrived at the ground. He kept making me laugh and that put me at ease. It was a night I will certainly never forget.”

The Kent victory was set up by another inspirational batting performance by Northeast. He scored a sensational 90 off 52 balls as his side chased down 173-6 with five balls to spare.

Northeast departed after hitting two sixes and 12 fours. It was the fourth time in his past five innings in the competition that he had passed 50.

Opener Daniel Bell-Drummond also played a starring role, scoring a T20 career-best 61 off 49 balls.

Bell-Drummond and Northeast shared a 122-run record partnership for Kent against Essex.

The pair beat the previous best effort of 97 between Rob Key and Azahar Mahmood at the same venue in 2011.

Earlier, Essex opener Mark Pettini struck one six and six fours as he top scored with 56 off 45 balls before Matt Coles (2-28) had him caught at mid-wicket by Darren Stevens.