Kent Spitfires skipper Sam Billings was pleased to start a competitive T20 Blast group with maximum points on Friday night.
Spitfires held their nerve to defeat Middlesex by 27 runs at Lord’s, restricting the hosts to 181-8 after Billings’ 84 not out led the way in Kent’s 208-6.
“We were very positive, it was great to get 200 on the board and get a win,” said Billings.
“Whenever you do that, you’ve played some decent cricket.
“There were a couple of areas where I felt we could have been a bit more ruthless with the ball.
“It was the first game back in a while for some people as well. So, it’s going to be a little bit rusty. But if we rocked up and you told me that’s the result earlier today, I’d be very happy.
“It’s nice to get two points on the board. We know it’s a very competitive group and you have to start well.”
Middlesex looked well placed midway through their innings to chase down Kent’s total.
But the extra quality in the bowling attack available to Billings made the difference.
“As the innings went on with the ball, we started to really understand what was required,” added Billings.
“It takes courage in this game to be able to just hold length, especially on a wicket that maybe was slightly two-paced, as it was a hybrid.
“Once we’d done that, we kept on taking wickets and the rate kept on climbing. To get Adam Rossington out – maybe a bit fortunately – kind of closed out the game.
“I think Matt Milnes really adds more options. We have Fred Klaassen with the angle but with Matt Miles and Tom Rogers it means I can change the overs around a lot more.
“It just gives me way more flexibility, and probably that’s where we’ve lacked in the past, is having three front-line seamers that can bowl all phases of the game.
“I thought that was brilliant, where I can chop and change in the power play. I only bowled Tom Rogers one over and that allowed him to come back and bowl in the middle.”
