Kent Spitfires' Daniel Bell-Drummond continues to excel in NatWest T20 Blast
Published: 07:48, 11 July 2017
Daniel Bell-Drummond continued his sparkling one-day form in the game’s shortest format on Sunday.
Having topped Kent’s averages in the Royal London One-Day Cup, Bell-Drummond hit four sixes in 55 balls to finish 90 not out in Spitfires’ NatWest T20 Blast opener.
Bell-Drummond’s one-day form is in stark contrast to his Championship record, where he averages less than 28 with just two half-centuries.
“I’m getting better at this format and have got a method. Hopefully, I can stick to it throughout this tournament,” said Bell-Drummond.
“It’s a completely different type of cricket. There’s no holding back when you open the batting in T20. It’s good the tournament has come at this time.
“I’m glad I was able to carry my form from the 50-over competition. Hopefully, this is just the start for me, I want to keep going. I try not to look too far ahead and just play my own game.”
At a ground that provided a run fest in the drawn Championship match with Northants, Bell-Drummond was always confident Kent would chase down the 167 they needed to beat Essex Eagles.
“You play every ball on its merit but we knew it was a good score to chase,” he added.
“We were happy at the halfway point. It was vital we got off to a good start and we never looked back.”
Kent continue their campaign with trips to Gloucestershire on Thursday and Surrey 24 hours later at The Oval.
“We needed to hit the ground running, especially against Essex, who we have found tough in the past,” said Bell-Drummond.
“There’s a lot of good teams in the South Group, anyone is capable of finishing top so you need to start well and put your foot down.
“Gloucestershire don’t have the names maybe that Essex have but they are just as effective.
“They have a lot of clever cricketers who always punch above their weight and they’re a dangerous team in the South Group. We know we need to be on it 100%.”
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Matthew Panting