Vitality Blast 2026 Set for Historic Double Header at Lord’s The 2026 Vitality Blast will kick off with a historic double header at Lord’s on Friday, May 22, as Middlesex Women & Middlesex face Kent Women & Kent Spitfires in a rare pairing of teams from the same county. This event marks the first of two Bank Holiday weekend matches, with Kent Women & Kent Spitfires also set to host Sussex Sharks Women & Sussex Sharks at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury on Monday, May 25. The double header will feature two matches: Middlesex Women vs. Kent Women at 2:15pm and Middlesex vs. Kent Spitfires at 6:15pm. The event is part of the Women’s Vitality Blast League Two, where defending champions Middlesex aim to retain their title. Middlesex, led by skipper Saskia Horley, will draw on their recent victory over Kent Women in the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup, a win that has bolstered their confidence ahead of the tournament. Kent Women, captained by Megan Belt, will field a squad of 14 players, including Laura Bailey, Grace Poole, and Sophie Singer, who are returning for the first time this summer. The squad includes several key players, though Rachel King remains with Surrey, and Izzy Cloke and Tilly Callaghan are sidelined due to injury. The match will be broadcast live on the Kent Cricket website, with pictures and sound provided by Middlesex Cricket. For the men’s side, Kent Spitfires will take on Middlesex in the 2026 Vitality Blast, with Sam Billings leading the team. The squad includes Joe Denly, the club’s highest T20 run scorer, and Fred Klaassen, a Netherlands international seamer. Matt Milnes, a 2021 Blast winner, is set to return after a four-year absence, while Harry Finch and Jake Lintott, both from the Second XI, have been included.#kent_spitfires #vitality_blast #middlesex_women #kent_women #middlesex_men
Kent Spitfires’ Vitality T20 Blast skipper Sam Billings on Sam Northeast’s county comeback Sam Billings, captain of the Kent Spitfires in the Vitality T20 Blast, has expressed his support for Sam Northeast’s return to the county team. The 36-year-old batsman, who was born in Ashford, has signed a two-year deal with Kent after previously leaving for Hampshire in 2018. Billings, who replaced Northeast as captain, believes the timing of his return is ideal. Northeast, who was once a key figure in Kent’s academy system, will now play alongside Billings again. The pair have shared a long history, with Billings recalling living with Northeast during his time as captain. “He’s a great guy,” Billings said. “I played a lot of cricket with him growing up. He was definitely the ‘star boy’ and it’s no surprise he’s turned out to be such a quality player. It’s fantastic to have him back.” Billings emphasized that Northeast’s return is beneficial for both the team and his own mindset. “It was healthy for everyone, and his own mentality, the timing of when he left,” he said. “He went on to play brilliantly wherever he went, but now is the time for him to come home. He’s exactly the type of player and personality we need around the group. He sets incredibly high standards and demands them from others, which is exactly what we need in the dressing room.” Billings also hinted that Northeast may need to earn his place in the Spitfires’ squad this summer. “A good definition of leadership is how you elevate others into positions of leadership,” he said. “He played brilliantly for us in the T20 Blast, but he probably won’t start. However, there’s definitely a lot of experience and potential he could bring.#the_hundred #sam_billings #kent_spitfires #vitality_t20_blast #sam_northeast
