Captain Sam Billings insists Kent Spitfires can only focus on themselves as they bid to reach the Vitality Blast quarter-finals.
Billings knows victory at home to Essex tomorrow (Friday) at Canterbury could see Spitfires qualify for the last eight – but they might still need other results to go their way.
Sussex trail fourth-placed Spitfires by four points but travel to Gloucestershire today (Thursday) before hosting Surrey 24 hours later. They also boast a superior net run-rate while Glamorgan and Gloucestershire could yet qualify if Kent slip up.
“We went into the last two games obviously knowing that we have to win both,” said Billings, after Spitfires beat Middlesex by seven wickets on Sunday.
“We’re still right in the mix, as the results went our way as well.
“Essex haven’t quite fired this year, but we know how many dangerous players they’ve got.
“We’re going to have to be right on it. And I’m sure a couple of those lads will be fired up to try and put a performance in against us.
“So we can only focus on what we need to do. We’ve got the quality in the side to do that. It’s just about focusing on our processes and what we do well as a team, and hopefully we can get the result.”
Kent’s final two matches are against the two bottom sides in the South Group.
Quite rightly, Billings pointed out that if they fail to beat Essex then they don’t deserve to be in the quarter-finals.
Spitfires have already convincingly won at Chelmsford earlier this summer.
“Let’s be honest, the two sides that have been towards the bottom of the division, if we can’t beat those guys in the last two games of the year, then we don’t deserve to go through,” stated Billings.
“That’s not to say we don’t respect both opponents. They’ve got some brilliant players. But from our point of view, we don’t deserve to go through if we can’t beat the bottom side.
“That’s just true to say in any sport. We’re looking forward to Friday night and hopefully we can make a statement.”
Billings insisted Kent have got to play with the same intensity against Essex regardless of what happens when Sussex play their match in hand 24 hours earlier.
A Sussex defeat will make the equation simple for Kent, who know victory at Canterbury will see them qualify.
“Whatever happens there, we can’t control,” said Billings. “They play Surrey on Friday as well.
“Some guys like to have an eye on it [on Thursday], I really don’t care. It’s just about us getting the job done.
“The only time it gets close is net run-rate and that’s why we tried to finish the game off [early on Sunday] to boost our net run-rates.
“It doesn’t change anything from our point of view. If we can’t win on Friday, then we don’t need to worry about anything else.”
The pressure is on and while Kent will have home advantage in their final group game, Billings wants his players to embrace the opportunity to reach the knockout stages.
“It doesn’t matter where you play,” said Billings. “You’ve just got to get the job done.
“You’ve got to adapt as a side and as an individual as well. We’re looking forward to the challenge on Friday night against a very good side.
“You want to be in the mix and want to play games at this stage of the year that mean something and something is on the line. If you’re not, you’re not doing what you need to do.
“There was pressure on Sunday, we had to win. Just got to go out and do your job and be ruthless with it.
“I’d much prefer a bit of pressure on the line and to get the game done. You want to be that guy to stand up. It doesn’t change what we need to do as a team.
“[It’s about] having the clarity around what makes you individually a really good player and sticking to that.
“We know it’s never an issue with this dressing room. We back each other up and the coach [Adam Hollioake], you’ll have his backing in whatever you decide to do. So, go out there and be bold and take the game on.”
