Check out all the Preview Stats and AI Predictive Form Guide for the Vitality Blast 2026 – Game 17 – Kent Spitfires vs Sussex Sharks, to be played on 25th May, 2026 at St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury.
Match Prediction – Kent v Sussex
Match Details:
Date: Monday, 25th May 2026.
Venue: St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury.
Start Time: 2:30 PM GMT | 8:00 PM IST | 3:30 PM Local.
Current Form:
Kent Spitfires:
The Kent Spitfires got their season underway in fine fashion as their batters produced the required results for them to surge past Middlesex in their season opener.
Sam Billings was exceptional with the bat, while Daniel Bell-Drummond, Tawanda Muyeye and Zak Crawley all made handy contributions, their bowling was led by Jake Lintott and Tom Rogers.
Sussex Sharks:
They got off to a brilliant start with the Sussex Sharks completing a demolition job of the Essex Eagles, having chased down 192 in just sixteen overs to start their season off.
John Simpson left a trail of dust behind him whacking bowlers to all parts, while Daniel Hughes and James Coles were quite impressive as well, while the bowling saw James Coles lead the way.
Players to Watch:
Kent Spitfires:
Tom Rogers – the Australian was the pick of the bowlers for the Kent Spitfires in their first game, having picked up 4/39 in his four overs, wrecking the Middlesex side.
Sam Billings – leading his team from the front, Sam Billings started off exceptionally well, scoring an unbeaten 84 off just 37 balls where he struck at 227.02.
Jake Lintott – his move to Kent proved to be an immediate success with Jake Lintott having picked up two wickets on debut for Kent, enroute to figures of 2/25 off his four overs.
Sussex Sharks:
John Simpson – the wicketkeeper-batter ensured a chase of 192 would be easy, having sent the ball past the ropes eight times in 23 balls, as he made a 23-ball 63 with just one four and eight sixes.
James Coles – it was a fine all-round performance from the youngster touted for big things ahead, as James Coles struck a 29-ball fifty and picked up 2/32 with the ball.
Daniel Hughes – the Australian got them off to a rapid start as he scored 44 off just 25 balls, as Sussex ransacked 80 off the powerplay to get off to a flier.
Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches):
Kent Spitfires – 1 win
Sussex Sharks – 4 wins
This has been a match-up which the Sussex Sharks have enjoyed historically, winning four out of their last five games and Sussex have found themselves batting first in each of these games.
Batting Stats T20
Venue Stats – St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury (2023-2026):
Average 1st Innings Score:
2023 – 174.7
2024 – 173.7
2025 – 170.1
Bowling Averages and Economy Rates:
Wickets Percentage based on Innings:
Wickets Per Innings:
Wickets per Phase:
Powerplay (Overs 1–6): 1.71 wickets
Middle Overs (Overs 7–15): 2.93 wickets
Death Overs (Overs 16–20): 2.06 wickets
The conditions for batting have remained relatively stable at the St Lawrence Ground over the last three years, with the score just dropping slightly to 170.1 in the last season. There is an advantage in getting to bat second here with almost 62% games won by sides that bat second.
The conditions on offer here have been more helpful for the fast bowlers, who average 26.88 runs per dismissal while striking once every 18 balls, the spinners average 27.32 and have needed two more balls per dismissal.
Squads:
Kent Spitfires:
Sam Billings © (WK), Chris Benjamin (WK), Daniel Bell-Drummond, Ben Compton, Ben Dawkins, Zak Crawley, Joe Denly, Joey Evison, Sam Northeast, Michael Cohen, Keith Dudgeon, Corey Flintoff, Fred Klaassen, Matt Milnes, Matthew Parkinson, Matt Quinn, Oli Curtiss, Jaydn Denly, Harry Finch, Dian Forrester, Tawanda Muyeye, Tom Rogers, Ekansh Singh, Jas Singh and Grant Stewart.
Sussex Sharks:
Tymal Mills ©, John Simpson (WK), Charlie Tear (WK), Oli Carter (WK), Harrison Ward, Tom Alsop, Danny Briggs, Henry Crocombe, Bradley Currie, Danny Lamb, Jack Carson, Sean Hunt, Jofra Archer, Tom Henry, Ollie Robinson, Jack Coles, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Jack Leaning, Danial Ibrahim, Tom Price, George Thomas and Daniel Goodman.
Cricket Match Predictions – PrePlay
Who will win the toss? — Sussex Sharks
Who will win the match? — Sussex Sharks
Top Batter (Runs Scored) — Zak Crawley (Kent Spitfires), James Coles (Sussex Sharks)
Top Bowler (Wickets Taken) — Tom Rogers (Kent Spitfires), Tymal Mills (Sussex Sharks)
Most Sixes — Zak Crawley (Kent Spitfires), James Coles (Sussex Sharks)
Player of the Match — James Coles (Sussex Sharks)
Team Scores Batting First — Kent Spitfires 170+, Sussex Sharks 180+
© Cricket World 2026
