Gloucestershire Thrash Kent by Nine Wickets in Vitality Blast

Gloucestershire's Miles Hammond unleashed a blistering 80-run knock, propelling his team to a dominant nine-wicket victory over Kent Spitfires in the Vitality Blast at Canterbury.

Hammond's explosive innings, featuring five towering sixes and eight boundaries, came off just 41 deliveries. His opening partner, Cameron Bancroft, remained unbeaten on 39 as Gloucestershire chased down Kent's paltry total of 125 with 8.2 overs to spare.

Kent's batting woes began early as Gloucestershire's bowlers stifled their opponents. Matt Taylor's impressive 3-30 led the charge, while wicketkeeper James Bracey's three run-outs further crippled Kent's innings. Sam Billings top-scored with 36, but no other batter managed to cross the 20-run mark.

Gloucestershire's decision to bowl first proved inspired as they ripped through Kent's top order. Zak Crawley's poor form continued, falling for just 7, while Joe Denly and Marcus O'Riordan also departed cheaply.

A partial recovery by Billings and Tawanda Muyeye was short-lived as Bracey's sharp run-out of Muyeye triggered a collapse. Taylor's double-strike in the 15th over, removing Billings and Grant Stewart, further dented Kent's hopes.

Joey Evison's dismissal, caught at deep midwicket, and two comical run-outs in the final over sealed Kent's fate. Nathan Gilchrist and Xavier Bartlett's mix-up, followed by Matt Parkinson's failed attempt at a single, left Kent all out for a meager 125.

Gloucestershire's chase was a formality, with Hammond and Bancroft putting on an opening stand of 127. Hammond's six over cow corner off Xavier Bartlett brought up his half-century, and he eventually fell for 80 when Gilchrist caught him on the boundary.

Bancroft completed the victory in style, smashing O'Riordan for a six to seal Gloucestershire's emphatic nine-wicket triumph.

Tags: #VitalityBlast, #Gloucestershire, #KentSpitfires, #MilesHammond, #CameronBancroft