Wes Agar’s injury is set to be assessed as Kent await a fitness update on the Australian overseas fast bowler.
Agar, 27, sustained a shoulder knock on the opening day of Kent’s heavy County Championship Division 1 defeat against Essex in Canterbury on Friday.
While Kent head coach Matt Walker says Agar – who batted in the first innings but not in the second innings – is upbeat, they’re set to find out a better diagnosis of the problem from a specialist today.
“He’s given it a real nudge,” said Walker, whose Kent Spitfires side begin their T20 Blast campaign against Middlesex at Essex’s Chelmsford ground this Friday.
“But we will need to speak to a specialist today to see what his thoughts are on it and what the next course of action is. I don’t know what the answer is – I don’t think anyone quite knows. It may not be too bad, it may be worse than we think.
“We’re just holding our breath a little bit. Wes is pretty upbeat about it.
“But there’s some damage in there and I don’t know what that means, moving on down the line, in terms of the part he will play in the next few weeks. I hope it’s not too bad.
“I hope he’s able to stay in the country and play, maybe focusing on those two Championship games (Kent will have towards the end of June). That will be great if that’s the case. If it’s not, it is what it is.
“But it’s another tough blow to take to one of our seamers and one of our best seamers, as well. He has been outstanding for us, absolutely incredible with the attitude he always has and how hard he runs in day-in, day-out.
“He will certainly be missed and will be someone we will not have for the first part of the T20s.
“We just have to take that on the chin again. There’s not much you can do about those sorts of things.
“We will just wait and see what the outcome is.”
Fellow Australian fast bowler Xavier Bartlett has linked-up with Kent, though, albeit Dutch bowler Fred Klaassen has been dealt his latest injury setback.
The 31-year-old was expected to be with The Netherlands for the T20 World Cup but is now set to miss the tournament – and potentially Spitfires’ T20 Blast season – through injury.
“It’s great to see Xavier here,” said Walker. “He’s looking in really good shape and I really cannot wait to see him get going.
“Obviously, we’ll miss Fred Klaassen through injury. We wouldn’t have had him anyway for the first bit – he would have been at the World Cup – but all the other guys are chomping at the bit.
“For Beyers (Swanepoel), it’s a format, in which we know what he can do.
“There’s possible opportunities for (Nathan) Gilchrist and (Grant) Stewart to really come in and make their mark this season.
“Then, the batting talent that we have is really exciting. We have got the tools.
“Now, it’s about delivering it and playing a really exciting brand of cricket.”
Kent 2nds lost a T20 friendly against Middlesex 2nds at Canterbury’s Polo Farm by two runs.
The visitors totalled 153 all out, despite Adam Sylvester’s 5-25 from four overs.
In reply, Gareth Severin hit an unbeaten 44 off 28 balls, including a last-ball six, but Kent fell just short. Spitfires skipper Sam Billings was bowled by Blake Cullen for two.
