Daniel Bell-Drummond’s return to form in this summer’s Vitality Blast has been welcomed by Kent Spitfires skipper Sam Billings.
Bell-Drummond scored 54 and 37 in his last two T20 knocks against Hampshire and Notts, having contributed a total of just 24 in his previous four innings.
The classy 32-year-old is the second-highest T20 run scorer in Spitfires history behind team-mate Joe Denly and looked back to his best during a first T20 half-century of the summer on Sunday.
“He’s been a quality player for such a long period of time in all formats, but especially this format for us,” said Billings.
“It was great to see him look like he’s enjoying his batting again, back into his groove and finding his rhythm as well.
“I think he changed a few things. He triggers in this format, whereas the four-day stuff he doesn’t and he’s looked at old footage, going back to what he does really well.
“I think in T20 cricket, it’s so important to do that. It’s a confidence game and you’ve got to be really clear of what you’re good at in this format.
“It’s just great to see him back to his best.”
Opening partner Harry Finch struggled to get the ball away on a testing strip against Hampshire.
He scored 45 off 43 balls, prompting some to think he was scoring too slowly and others to argue it was important not to give his wicket away cheaply.
Billings responded: “I did have a word with him out there!
“He’s such a good scooper of the ball. Sometimes, things can get on top of you out there, but when you talk things through, you know, sometimes you need someone just to have a conversation and it’s fine.
“Even getting one away for two, it changes the whole make-up of the over for the bowlers and it’s a learning process.
“If you lose the game, of course, that’s what comes under the microscope, but thankfully that’s not an issue and we ended up winning pretty comfortably.
“Harry’s been in unbelievable form this year. He’s been hitting the ball so well. He ultimately still got a 40-plus score and was in a 50 partnership, so he contributed hugely.
“But he’s a smart guy. He’s always keen to learn and he’ll be aware that there’s always areas that you can look at and improve. But that glue on a tricky pitch was really important.”
Spitfires now travel to Worcestershire tomorrow (Friday) in their second cross-group clash before the return trip to Hampshire at Southampton on Sunday.
With four wins and four defeats, Kent still have work to do in their last four matches at this stage.
“It’s one game at a time,” said Billings. “The third spot is only there in two of the three groups.
“We’ll see [what we need], but ultimately we’ve got to win most of our games, so it’s pretty clear what we need to do.
“You want to be in contention at the back end of the tournament.”
On Worcestershire, Billings added: “I think they’re quite a unique side in the way they play. Obviously, we’ll do our homework and it might be a pretty unique ground to play at.
“It can be quite small, but the wicket can be quite tricky at times. We’ll definitely look into it and this is a funny game, T20.
“If you can get on a roll all of a sudden, in terms of results, things can change quickly and we’ve got the firepower to do it.”
Tom Rogers is “trucking well” on his return from a hamstring injury while Tawanda Muyeye continues to make good progress on his return from a concussion injury but Billings insisted he won’t be rushed back.
“He’s seeing a specialist,” said the Spitfires skipper. “I think that’s a little bit more complex and, being a head injury, it’s a bit more subjective.
“You have various scans and he had a concussion last year and struggled with that.
“Of course, you want your best players available, but that’s definitely something we’re not going to put pressure on him.”
