Skipper Sam Billings is warning nobody is guaranteed a starting position in Kent Spitfires’ Vitality T20 Blast side this summer – including himself!
Spitfires, knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Lancashire Lightning last year, will again look to get through the group stages as they target a spot at finals day.
But Billings expects competition for spots to be fierce, with the Blast opener seeing them play Middlesex at Lord’s tomorrow.
While fellow wicketkeeper Harry Finch performed well in their 2025 South group-stage games, he was left out of the team in the quarter-finals. Finch, 31, is yet to play for Kent this summer, either.
Billings said: “Harry’s a brilliant pro. He’s someone who never lets anyone down, certainly with his attitude and his professionalism. He did fantastically last year.
“That upward pressure, it’s what we want from guys. He played brilliantly, got us into the quarter-final and we picked the team that we felt was the best option for it.
“If you look at our batting line-up, it’s a tough one to get into. He completely got it.
“But any opportunity he gets, I’m sure he will do well. It’s great to have guys like that.
“Chris Benjamin is another one. He’s come back from injury and I think he will add to us.
“That’s what we want. No one is guaranteed selection, including myself.
“It just comes down to the guys that we feel are best on that day in big moments to step up in various roles. Obviously, Harry did really well in that top three so we’re pretty clear with guys.
“We’re not just going to play you – and bat you at No.5 or No.6 – because it’s a completely different skill-set and a completely different mentality.
“If you want to compete for those top-three spots, you know that you’re competing with the likes of Daniel Bell-Drummond and Zak Crawley so it’s sort of in those guys’ court.
“I think that’s the key around any T20 team about having real clarity around guys’ roles. If you’re in-form, that’s fine – but we wouldn’t bat Daniel Bell-Drummond at No.6, would we? The same concept applies to everyone.”
Spitfires were edged out by three wickets by Lancashire as all-rounder Liam Livingstone’s unbeaten 85 from 45 balls was vital.
Looking ahead to the new campaign, Billings said: “We’re really excited.
“We had a really good T20 campaign last year. We just kind of got Liam Livingstone-d up at Lancashire. He played brilliantly and, ultimately, was the difference that day.
“On another day, we could have got him out and we would have been in finals day. There was a lot of positivity, certainly from a T20 perspective.
“The addition of Matt Milnes makes our bowling attack infinitely stronger with that experience, as well. There are some clever signings.
“With Tom Rogers coming back, I think it looks a really well-rounded side.”
Spitfires will also have South African Keith Dudgeon available across the summer while Billings is excited to see what all-rounder Grant Stewart can deliver after he turned out for Italy in the T20 World Cup.
“With Grant Stewart, seeing what he did for Italy in India, those experiences just elevate him – and elevate the squad,” added Billings.
“It gives the squad a bit more confidence and us a bit more confidence in what he can do individually.
“If you look around the squad – I know everyone says it – but being a year wiser and a year stronger, I think we can be really ambitious.
“There’s been a change in format in terms of the group.
“We have got a tough group when you look at the three groups. We probably do have the toughest group but that’s a great challenge.
“You know, if you get through that, you can beat anyone.”
Talented young batsman Tawanda Muyeye was among those to shine last summer, scoring more than 500 T20 Blast runs across the campaign, which included a maiden T20 ton.
Billings hopes to see more of the same from the 25-year-old.
“We know how talented he is but, at times he was at No.3 and shifting around the order,” said Billings.
“My challenge to him was ‘You’re one of the best young players in the country – but it’s time to prove that and be really ruthless’. Jordan Cox has done it.
“He’s one of the best young players in the country and has scored runs consistently. Ultimately, that’s what we’re judged on.
“I think that was a huge positive, seeing Tawanda step up. Hopefully, he can do the same this year.”
Billings welcomed the change in the schedule that will see the T20 Blast played to an immediate conclusion.
The last group game is against Middlesex on July 12 with finals day on July 18, rather than weeks later in the calendar.
“It’s just way better for everyone,” said Billings, who will represent Trent Rockets at The Hundred competition. “For fans, they’re able to maintain momentum and follow the whole competition.
“For players, of course, I think everyone benefits out of it. I love it. It’s a natural fit, going into The Hundred, and gives players the chance to put their name in the hat for those wildcard picks. It makes complete sense.”
Kent’s T20 Blast fixtures: May 22: Middlesex (Lord’s), May 25: Sussex (Canterbury), May 29: Essex (Canterbury), May 31: Surrey (The Oval), Jun 7: Sussex (Hove), Jun 9: Essex (Chelmsford), Jun 26: Notts (Canterbury), Jun 28: Hampshire (Canterbury), Jul 3: Worcs (Worcester), Jul 5: Hampshire (Rose Bowl), Jul 10: Surrey (Canterbury), Jul 12: Middlesex (Canterbury).
