Callum Jackson replaces Sam Billings in Kent’s 12-man squad for their Specsavers County Championship clash with Northamptonshire at Beckenham.
The 21-year-old wicket-keeper is set to feature in the only change from the side that convincingly beat Sussex last week, with Billings on international duty ahead of England’s T20 international against Pakistan on Wednesday.
Kent will be looking to extend their winning run that has seen them pick up victories in their last three Division Two County Championship fixtures, over Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Sussex, as they look to keep the heat on leaders Essex with just two games of the season to play.
With the sides meeting at Canterbury in the final game of the season, a win for Kent over Northamptonshire in their penultimate game is vital if they are to have any hopes of securing the single promotion spot this season.
Will Gidman, who extended his loan at Kent until the end of the season ahead of the Sussex game, is set to be rewarded for his recent form with the bat with a move up the order to number six in Billings’ absence. Gidman, on loan from Nottinghamshire, has played three County Championship innings since arriving at Kent, and is yet to be dismissed; narrowly missing out on a century by reaching 99* against Sussex last week.
Hardus Viljoen is set to make his third appearance in a Kent shirt, having impressed during his spell at the club so far. The South African has taken 14 wickets at an average of just 16.07 since joining the club for the end of the campaign.
Kent skipper Sam Northeast, who was earlier today confirmed as the club captain for 2017, said his side would be looking for another maximum-points victory as they looked to keep the heat on local rivals Essex.
“We need to win, there’s no doubt about that”, Northeast said. “We’ll be aggressive and attack and play a similar brand of cricket to our last handful of games.
“Beckenham offers a little bit for the bowlers and it will then hopefully turn for James Tredwell and Joe Denly later on.
“It’s vitally important to set something up for the last game.”
The game at Beckenham starts at 10:30am tomorrow (Tuesday 6 September 2016) morning.
Kent: (from) Bell-Drummond, Dickson, Denly, Northeast*, Stevens, Gidman, Jackson†, Tredwell, Coles, Viljoen, Claydon, Qayyum
Northants: TBA