Vitality Blast T20 Essex Eagles vs Kent Spitfires: Essex bowlers set up Kent batters to pave the way for a thumping win

    A powerplay display from Essex's seamers put the contest out of the visitors' reach in the first inning itself as Essex registered their third win by defeating Kent by seven wickets and 27 balls remaining

    Michael Pepper in great form Michael Pepper in great form

    The Eagles decided to bowl first and proved their decision with dominant bowling by seamers in the powerplay. A sensational team bowling set the platform to stunt Kent, as Daniel Sams, Sam Cook, Ben Allison, and Matt Critchley eventually snared two wickets each, leaving visitors struggling at 17/4. Daniel Sams, Sam Cook, and Ben Allison bowled two overs each, with stunning figures of one for seven, one for three, and two for nine, respectively. Kent got a revival partnership of 29 runs from Sam Billings (8) and Alex Blake (38). Following their dismissals, Jack Leaning, George Linde, and Qais Ahmad scored 14, 18, and 24 runs, respectively, to drag the scoreboard to 130/9 in 20 overs. 

    Fred Klaassen bowled out Adam Rossington for eight runs to defend the total as the first breakthrough. Michael Pepper and William Buttleman paired to score 44 off 31, with 28 runs from Pepper. As George Linde dismissed Buttleman, Pepper further stitched 32 off 21 with Matt Critchley to reach 50 before being trapped by Qais Ahmad. Pepper displayed his outrageous hitting for the second successive Tuesday night, his highest score of 75* coming against Hampshire. Matt Critchley continued his inning with Paul Walter as the latter accelerated the game scoring 33 of 16 and sealing the win for the Eagles in 16th over. 

    Essex is placed third in the table, whereas Kent Spitfires are lingering at the bottom with six losses. Essex Eagles will clash with Hampshire on 9th June, whereas Kent Spitfires will take on Somerset on 10th June 2022 as their next fixtures of Blast.

     

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