The final home match in this year’s T20 group stages sees the Eagles take on Kent Spitfires at The Cloudfm County Ground.
Both teams need a win to qualify to the quarter-final stages but the Eagles will be relying on Glamorgan to record a first win this year’s tournament to sneak a place at the last minute.
However, with captain and star player, Colin Ingram in the ranks they always have a strong chance to clinching a victory.
Titles: 1 (2007)
Finals Days: 2
Coach: Matt Walker – Mid-way through his third season at the helm, Walker still holds the record for the highest first-class individual score at Canterbury (275* v Somerset in 1996). An innovative, hard-working coach popular with players and supporters alike, he has assisted England’s T20I preparations for the past two summers.
Captain: Heino Kuhn – Will act as interim skipper in the absence of Sam Billings, whose return to full fitness following shoulder surgery is imminent. A forceful batsman, Kuhn brings South African grit, dynamism and a determination to win to the leadership role.
Overseas signings: Faf du Plessis (South Africa). Earlier on in the tournament: Adam Milne (New Zealand), Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan).
The Narrative: Backed by dynamic fielding, no holds barred batting and overall nous with the ball, the Spitfires have excelled in white-ball cricket for the past three seasons without clearing the final hurdle to Finals Day. Faf du Plessis was brought in this week to bring some fire-power in the absence of Adam Milne (injured) and Afghanistan spinner Mohammad Nabi.
Star Man: Faf du Plessis – The SOuth African captain struck 60 on Thursday against Gloucestershire and will be the only Oversea’s player for the Spitfires on Friday.
Mr Consistency: Daniel Bell-Drummond – The former England Lions batsman has underpinned Kent’s recent white-ball success with his stand-and-deliver approach to top-order batting. With over 2,000 runs in the format at a strike rate of 133.74, he will be looking to add to his one T20 century (112* v Surrey at Tunbridge Wells, 2016).
Under the radar: Alex Blake – A Kent academy graduate and white-ball specialist whose ‘range hitting’ can turn a game on its head in a handful of overs. A dynamic fielder with a gun arm and safe pair of hands, his best form is crucial to Kent success.
