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Kent Spitfires coach Matt Walker has decisions to make ahead of NatWest T20 Blast opener against Essex

00:00, 08 July 2017

Matt Walker admits he has some decisions to make ahead of Kent’s opening game of the NatWest T20 Blast campaign on Sunday.

The Spitfires host Essex Eagles at Beckenham (3pm) and are expected to draft overseas paceman Adam Milne and all-rounder Jimmy Neesham into the side, while all-rounder Darren Stevens is available after missing this week’s Championship game after a concussion against Nottinghamshire the previous week and Sam Billings is back for the summer.

Jimmy Neesham. Picture: Gary Browne
Jimmy Neesham. Picture: Gary Browne

With white-ball ace Alex Blake also in the frame and teenage prospect Zak Crawley having cracked an unbeaten 109 from 65 balls in a 2nd XI win over Middlesex - a game in which Callum Haggett collected his second four-wicket haul in as many T20 matches, Walker has plenty of options.

He said: “There are some decisions to be made, that’s for sure.

“We are excited about the T20 competition and I think Jimmy might be the final piece in the jigsaw for us. He was someone we targeted right from the start and I’m glad we were able to get it done.

“He’s a multidimensional cricketer, bats, bowls and is a great fielder and he only adds to what is already an exciting squad, after the addition of Milne and the quality players we already have.”

He added: “We know what we are capable of in this format, we are capable of beating any team on our day, but it’s up to us to go out and do it in what is an extremely competitive South Group.

“It’s not just us that has two overseas players and a quality squad, every team will be sitting there thinking this could be there year - they are all dangerous sides.”

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