Skipper Sam Billings hailed Kent Spitfires’ seven-wicket win over Sussex Sharks at Canterbury as one of their best Vitality T20 Blast victories on Monday.
Spitfires made it two South group-stage wins from two as batsman Zak Crawley impressed with 75 not out while South African overseas all-rounder Dian Forrester shone with both bat and ball on debut.
Fielding first, things threatened to quickly get away, with opener Tom Clark cracking 79 from 29 balls, but Kent recovered well before they made reasonably light work of the run-chase.
Wicketkeeper Billings, who won the Blast with Spitfires in 2021, reflected: “The way we reacted after a really tough start – I thought Tom Clark was exceptional and we didn’t bowl as well as we could have to go like that in the powerplay – but in the last 10 overs, they were 75-4 or something, and it really was outstanding.
“I said to the boys in the round-up, in all my time at this club, that’s right up there as one of the best wins I have been a part of. Sometimes, you kind of brush over when you have really good performances like that.
“Yes, it wasn’t perfect. But the character we showed, certainly with the ball to restrict them to under 200, was incredible. It gives you a chance.
“We know, with our batting line-up, if we get in and set a platform, we have such a variety of skills and so much depth that we have confidence. Anything over 200, you need to play incredibly well.
“We felt they got a good total – but we knew we had plenty in the tank to get across the line and, in the end, we did it with ease! It was so controlled.
“I thought Zak was world-class, with the composure he showed at various points. It was tough, their best bowlers were bowling well with a couple of really good overs, and the batsmen then just really put the foot down when that was required.
“For Dian to come in and top it off, that’s proper T20 cricket. You have to have a couple of decent partnerships, which we were lucky enough to have.
“It was an incredibly pleasing performance.”
For 28-year-old Crawley, his 75 not out from 41 balls represented a sorely-needed score.
It came 12 days on from his omission from England’s Test squad for the three-match home series against New Zealand next month and came after he had only scored 262 runs at 21.83 prior to his match-winning innings.
But Billings sung his praises as he revealed just how close he and Crawley are personally.
Billings, who welcomed daughter Ivie into the world alongside partner Sarah in March 2023, said: “He’s godfather to my daughter!
“Zak is one of the most level people I have ever come across. Of course, with everyone when they are going through a tough time professionally, it’s really tough. But he’s so level-headed and he works so hard at his game.
“The key messaging I have always said to him – certainly when he comes back here – is to come back and enjoy his cricket. He’s one of the boys and an integral part of this dressing room.
“Some of us have been in that England dressing room when it’s been tough. I definitely felt that and Joe Denly did, as well, especially when you’re in and out, or under pressure to perform, it can be a really tough place to be.
“The pinnacle of the sport, it should be the most enjoyable cricket that you play and, sometimes, it can be the opposite. I think it’s really key for him to come back here, feel comfortable, relax, enjoy his cricket again and truly have joy, batting in the way he does.
“I think the T20 format is perfect timing for him to come in and free-up to play. I truly think he can be world-class in this format.
“I think that suits his personality and his stroke-play, probably even more so than the top of the order in the longer format – we know what a quality player he is in that, as well – but I truly think he has all the attributes to be one of the very best in this country in this format.”
Forrester, 25, also had an afternoon to remember as he backed up career-best T20 figures of 3-25 with 35 not out from 18 balls.
“It’s great to see,” said Billings, who played alongside Forrester for Rawalpindi Pindiz in the Pakistan Super League.
“He strikes me as being at a similar stage in his career to what Matt Henry was when he came over and played for Kent. We’ve had various other signings – Adam Milnes, as well – guys that are on the cusp of international cricket and playing all around the world.
“Obviously, he’s just been picked up in the IPL [joining Chennai Super Kings] for the first time. It’s widely known what a talent we have got on our hands. He’s such a good guy.
“He’s just keen to play cricket, enjoy his cricket, and wants to play as much as possible. Certainly when you sign an overseas player, they’re the guys that you remember for a long period of time. What they do on the field is one thing, of course, but the character and how they go about it off the field [is also remembered]. I’m just really pleased for him.
“His bowling was brilliant where he kept on trucking in. Then, the batting was no surprise for me. I saw it in Pakistan.
“The consistency of ball-striking is phenomenal and a left-hander in that middle-order makes a huge difference for us.”
Next up is the visit of Essex to Canterbury this Friday.
While ex-Kent batsman Jordan Cox might not be back from his IPL commitments in time, Billings knows what a serious challenge lies ahead for his charges.
He said: “It’s a brilliant group, isn’t it? There’s no easy fixtures.
“Essex are a quality side. Obviously, they look like they might be without Coxy – although he might be back in time – who knows? They have quality up and down the order.
“They’re always tasty fixtures, they’re always tightly-contested, and we are really looking forward to it.
“Of course, we’ll have to be right on it and we don’t take anyone lightly. But we’re starting to build a bit of momentum.
“Hopefully, we can keep that going.”
