Kent Spitfires’ Tawanda Muyeye praised the contribution of opening partner Harry Finch in Sunday’s seven-wicket win over Middlesex.
The victory keeps Spitfires’ hopes of reaching the Vitality Blast quarter-finals alive ahead of their final group game against Essex on Friday.
Finch, promoted to open with Daniel Bell-Drummond ruled out through injury, got Kent’s chase of Middlesex’s total of 160-5 up and running with a six off Tom Helm in the fifth over – and they never looked back despite a relatively slow start to the powerplay.
“It was a pretty difficult wicket because I think we were 14-0 after the first three overs,” said Muyeye.
“We didn’t panic because, of course, they’d batted on it and were on a similar score.
“We assessed it, were not reckless in that situation, and the match-up came for me. To be fair, Harry was the one that started off and obviously gave me a bit more time to get myself in.
“Harry had his matchup with Helm down the hill and it worked pretty well.
“At the end of the power play, we were 60-0 so that was the most ideal thing, putting that platform.
“If you have a platform like that, everyone comes in confident.”
It was the perfect response to Kent after a disappointing defeat on Friday night against Somerset at Canterbury.
“On Friday night we had a chat as a team and to kind of stay alive (in the competition),” said Muyeye.
“Luckily, the results have gone our way in the last two games. We still have a chance and Sunday was obviously a must-win.
“It was quite nice to see the boys, especially with the ball, start like that after a tough few weeks.
“Adam Hollioake’s philosophy is give it a crack. If we’re going to get out, if we’re going to go out of the competition, at least do it with trying and going for it, and don’t be timid and just give it your all.
“I think the boys showed that. We’re such a good team when our backs are against the wall.
“I think the ability, when the backs are against the wall, to put up a performance, is pretty good in the group.
“It was a used pitch because the girls played earlier. So it was out in the sun from pretty much 11 in the morning. It was a pretty tough wicket and I think they did pretty well to get 160.
“I think we as a team chased that pretty well.”
Muyeye’s half-century against Middlesex was a welcome return to the runs after scoring just 15 runs in his last four innings since his maiden century against Essex.
He’s in the top five run scorers in the country in this season’s competition.
“It’s always nice to score some runs,” said Muyeye. “(Since) I spoke at Essex, it’s so up and down. I haven’t scored any runs, I reckon I probably scored 10 runs in the last four innings.
“That’s just the way of life in T20. It was nice to contribute because it sucks when you go into the dressing room and you can’t contribute. At least I put my hand up and was counted.”
