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Sam Billings hails good vibe at Kent after third win in One-Day Cup

Sam Billings said there is a good vibe around the Kent dressing room after their third straight win in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

In his first match back from the IPL, Billings captained the side to a 28 run win on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method against Somerset at The Spitfire Ground St Lawrence on Tuesday.

That moves Kent up to fourth in the South group after five matches.

Sam Billings. Picture: Andy Jones
Sam Billings. Picture: Andy Jones

Billings said: “We got the right result. It was really enjoyable and, I alluded to it in the team meeting before, the vibe around the camp I’ve been hearing has been fantastic this year.

“We saw it with the results in the championship and the win against Hampshire as well. You win games like that purely because of the people in the dressing room and the characters in the dressing room."

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Kent restricted Somerset to 221 from 42 overs after rain delayed the start of the match. Matt Henry continued his good form with the ball taking 3-37 and Calum Haggett also took three wickets for 42 runs.

Billings said: “Fielding in all forms of cricket is a selfless task as it is purely for the team. You have 11 players out there chucking themselves around and without doubt this is the best fielding I have seen since I’ve been at Kent.

“The energy and intent is something we’ve talked about for years but now we have the personnel to be able to do it and I think you saw that throughout our cricket today.

“Blakey has shown what a great asset he is in the field but what is pleasing for me is his body language and he’s come out of his shell. He’s started really being a capped player on the field and you see that authority now.”

Alex Blake holding onto a catch to remove Tom Banton. Picture: Andy Jones
Alex Blake holding onto a catch to remove Tom Banton. Picture: Andy Jones

Chasing 222, Kent lost Daniel Bell-Drummond for no score in the first over off Gregory’s bowling.

Heino Kuhn (36 not out) and Joe Denly (44 not out) built a solid partnership of 87 before the players had to go off after a deluge.

The game could not be resumed and with Kent 28 runs ahead of the DLS par score they took the points.

Callum Haggett celebrating removing Peter Trego. Picture: Andy Jones
Callum Haggett celebrating removing Peter Trego. Picture: Andy Jones

Billings added: “The intent with our batting as well was a continuation of that fielding display. When you are on top you have to be ruthless and in the past we haven’t quite done that.

“I was very tired at the end of our keeping innings and it was just nice to watch the lads get it done if I’m totally honest but it’s great to be back.”

Kent play their next match against Surrey at the County Ground in Beckenham. Billings has also been selected to play in the World XI match against the West Indies at Lords on Thursday.

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