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Matt Walker applauds near perfect performance from Kent against Somerset

Matt Walker praised the complete performance from his side in their win over Somerset in the Vitality Blast.

Kent won at Taunton by eight wickets on Sunday with 21 balls to spare to make it two wins from two in the opening matches.

Spitfires continued their fantastic record against Somerset and have not lost a T20 match to the side since 2011.

Kent head coach Matt Walker. Picture: Ady Kerry.
Kent head coach Matt Walker. Picture: Ady Kerry.

Head coach Walker said: “It’s always nice to get off to a good start and it’s something you target. In the last two competitions we haven’t started very well.

“We probably shouldn’t have won against Surrey and it was an extraordinary game of cricket but we found a way. It was a remarkable performance.

“We probably played a near perfect game against Somerset. It’s hard to say that there’s ever such a thing but it was a complete performance.

“We took wickets in the powerplay and bowled so much better than we did on Friday and just kept going.”

Carlos Brathwaite took 4-21 as the hosts were restricted to 159-6 from their 20 overs. At one stage Kent had Somerset 22-3 in the fifth over.

James Hildreth was the only batter to get going making 57 from 45 balls.

There were half-centuries for Daniel Bell-Drummond (58 from 39) and Heino Kuhn (67 not out from 42) to guide Kent to victory in 16.3 overs.

Walker said: “The discipline from the bowlers was excellent and obviously Carlos Brathwaite with four wickets was the standout but everybody played their part.

“You always felt 159 at Taunton was never going to be enough and the way we went about it was fantastic.

“It was a masterclass from Daniel and Heino. Great decision making and shot selection and incredible running between the wickets.

“We ran them ragged in the field and to win with four overs to go was a comprehensive victory.”

Carlos Brathwaite. Picture: Kent County Cricket Club
Carlos Brathwaite. Picture: Kent County Cricket Club

Overseas players Adam Milne and Carlos Brathwaite have hit the ground running for Kent in the opening two T20 matches.

Milne took 3-22 in the Surrey match and was ended with an economical 0-23 from four overs against Somerset.

Brathwaite has taken 2-21 and 4-21 in their Surrey and Somerset matches respectively.

Walker added: “It typifies where we are at as a team. People can come in and make contributions straight away.

“Carlos was man of the match today and Adam bowled brilliantly to hold his nerve against Surrey. It’s great when that can happen and they’ve not had to find time to find their feet.

“We know what Milney can do as we saw it last year and Carlos is obviously a world-class player.

“You want your overseas players to come in and make a statement and they both have done and hopefully there’s much more to come.”

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