Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Still have a bearing
Kent captain James Tredwell says the club’s fortunes during Canterbury Cricket Week could determine whether the season ends on a high or low note.
Gloucestershire visit The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, for the championship clash, starting on Wednesday (August 23), with the final game of the YB40 campaign at home against Group A leaders Nottinghamshire the following Monday afternoon.
Their first home win of the LV= County Championship, Division 2 campaign could see Kent move within a win of their third-placed visitors, while the 40-over game could be crucial to deciding Kent’s semi-final fate, should they beat Warwickshire Bears at home today (Thursday, 4.40pm).
Tredwell said: “We are a fair way off getting up in the championship but the way the points are weighted now means that getting two or three wins in the last five games can get you right up there in the table and we want to see that happen.
“It is a big week for us and we want to win both games. We haven’t set any particular targets before the end of the season but we want to continue to try and pick up results.
“We’ve been playing pretty well in recent games in the championship and want to carry it on.
“Tuesday’s YB40 loss at Northants was the first time in a while that we didn’t have an individual stand out with a strong performance before that we’ve had a few in recent games. Hopefully, we can get back to that.”
The 162nd Canterbury Week – the oldest cricket week in the world – will feature regular staples like Ladies Day on Thursday and Made in Kent day on Friday.
Tredwell said: “Canterbury Week is one you look forward to as a player. The marquees around the place give the ground a different look and there is a buzz around the ground. It is prestigious and traditional and they are the kind of occasions you want to play in.
“I’ve played in plenty of them in the past but it will be a proud moment for me to the lead the team out.”
Kent chief executive Jamie Clifford said: “It’s our showpiece week and has become a key part of our season.
“We have a lot of dignitaries coming along, including the chairman and chief executive of the ECB, who will be at Canterbury, rather than the Oval, on Thursday, which highlights its importance.”