By Ben Kosky, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
Skipper Sam Billings slammed an unbeaten 84 from 37 balls to get Kent Spitfires’ Vitality Blast campaign off to a winning start with victory over Middlesex at Lord’s.
Billings’ flawless knock underpinned the Spitfires’ total of 208 for six, which proved to be enough despite Adam Rossington’s eye-catching return to Middlesex colours after 12 years away.
Rossington, who rejoined the county this week on a short-term deal, thrashed 79 from 42 at the top of the order – his first Middlesex T20 half-century since hitting 74 against the same opponents at Uxbridge in 2013.
But left-arm spinner Jake Lintott’s two for 25 on his Kent debut tilted momentum back in the visitors’ favour and seamer Tom Rogers took four for 39 as they restricted Middlesex to 181 for eight.
Having won the toss and opted to bat first, the Spitfires immediately took off at speed as Tawanda Muyeye lifted his second ball for six while Daniel Bell-Drummond (26 from 12) peppered the short boundary with regularity.
Bell-Drummond perished slashing Tom Helm high to backward point, but Muyeye (38 from 25) drilled successive deliveries over the infield for four and six as Kent raced to 70 for one in the powerplay.
Luke Hollman (one for 30) had Muyeye caught behind chasing a widish ball as the spinners pegged Kent back, only for Billings to ease the pressure by reverse-sweeping Zafar Gohar for successive sixes.
Left-armer Noah Cornwell (two for 25) stemmed the visitors’ progress once again with a double wicket maiden that included the scalp of Zak Crawley (36 from 26), holing out to deep square leg.
But Billings regained the initiative, ramping Cornwell for four to pass his half-century from 25 and plundering 22 from the penultimate over of the innings to steer the Spitfires past the 200 mark.
However, the big-hitting Rossington – making his first Middlesex appearance since leaving for Northamptonshire in 2014 – gave the home side a brisk start to their chase, flaying Fred Klaassen for three leg-side fours in the opening over.
Rossington flicked both Klaassen and Rogers over the rope as he and Max Holden (20 from 16) built an opening stand of 61 from 33 before the left-hander skied Matt Milnes (two for 38) to fine leg.
Middlesex captain Leus du Plooy, having looked nicely set with 19 from 10, was caught in the deep off Rogers and the wily Lintott’s spell during the middle overs sent the required rate soaring.
Rossington pushed on, bringing up his 50 from 24 balls to keep the Seaxes just about within range but, once Rogers finally had him caught on the boundary, their hopes faded amid a clatter of wickets.
Middlesex Men
Kent Spitfires
