Kent Cricket 2026

killerandflash said:

Addick Addict said:

Interesting scorecard from today's 2nd XI T20 game against Surrey.

We put out a strong side with all bar Ollie Morgan (who took the gloves) being contracted to Kent. In fact, the only players not in the whole squad not playing for the 1st or 2nd XIs were Foreman, Cohen and Evison (all with the first team) plus Curtiss, Compton (injured) and Quinn (injured) 

https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_scorecard#m0ceeaaec-cdf8-45f6-b9c3-e49291a98c3c

Tommy Ealham in the Surrey side.

Has been captaining their 2s quite a lot this season. He and his brother, George, left Kent when they were 15 and 17 respectively. George has been doing the 2s circuit in the last three or four years and I'm not sure Tommy's going to make it either. The fact that he has just three List A games to his name at the age of 22 says quite a lot but, in any event, like many spinners before him at Surrey, he probably needs to move away from them if he wants to give himself a real chance of doing so. 

That stand of 303 between Dawkins and Northeast was a record for any wicket, for either side, between Durham and Kent. A fantastic achievement for the pair. No surprise with Northeast as he has a reputation for "stickability" once he's in but Dawkins showing such maturity, albeit dropped a couple of times, for a 19 year-old is awesome. 

With a fourth batting point imminent (15 away), it will be interesting to see what attempt we make to get that fifth won - probably unlikely given it is 65 off 14 overs but you never know if the ball isn't doing much and Durham set a fairly attacking field, initially at least. This sort of talk would have been unheard of three games ago but that is a reflection of how fast the team has turned things around.

For that we probably have to give Hollioake a certain amount of credit. I've said before that batters have to take responsibility for their technique and decision making in the middle. What Hollioake did do is to switch the external noise off. He also proved that he isn't so close to the players that he is incapable of making some big decisions - bringing in Benjamin for Finch was clearly a pre-season one and now preferring Ekansh to the more established Evison.

I know Matt Walker and he is as good a guy as you will find anywhere, let alone in professional sport, but even though he would make those decisions, he tended to only drop players when he had no choice. In his defence, I would point out that we didn't have youngsters of the calibre of Dawkins, Ekansh and Jaydn knocking on the door.

Which all makes it very interesting when it comes to the next match in a months time. Does he bring a fit again Compton back in? All known logic says he should - for Crawley. It is the ramifications of that decision that weigh heavily. Crawley only signed a one-year contract with Kent and his central contract is up at the end of the season too. Rory Burns at Surrey will be 36 this season so would they take a chance on Crawley especially as there isn't a flatter road than the Oval in England? Even if it isn't Surrey I can't believe that Crawley hasn't thought about moving, especially to a Division 1 side, in order to enhance his England recall chances and of course bridge the gap between his central contract and what Kent might be prepared to pay him. Yes I know his family is mega rich but he will want, I'm sure, for his own self-esteem, to independently create his own pathway to success.

Interesting times but the next thing on the immediate horizon is to secure those batting points. Come on Kent!!!    

Ekansh hits Potts for three boundaries in five balls

420-7 and 30 now needed off 6 overs for 5 batting bonus points

439-7 (108) and the 50 partnership between Ekansh and Dudgeon

50* (77) for Ekansh

503-8

We have the sight of the Parkinson twins doing what they have done all their life - one bowling to the other! 

523 all out

Parkinson gives Potts his sixth wicket. Ekansh is stranded on 64* (96)