Kent Cricket News from CricInfo -------------------------------------
http://www.kent.cricket.org   --------------------- Tue 13 April 1999 

Kent v Middlesex at Lord's - County Championship

As is traditional for the start of the cricket season, only 10.1 
overs of play were possible at Lord's today in between showers of 
rain, snow and hail. Kent's Dean Headley took the only wicket to 
fall as Middlesex opener Mike Roseberry was bowled for 6. Day 2 of 
four begins at 11am on Wednesday. 

Middlesex 16-1 (10.1 overs) Roseberry 6, Langer 10* Ramprakash 0* 

For a full national county scoreboard, see http://england.cricket.org

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Kent's new National League nickname is "Kent Spitfires"
Kent CCC issued the following Press Release on Tuesday: 

Kent has decided on its nickname for the new National Cricket League.
After much deliberation the Club has decided on "Kent Spitfires".
Suggestions for the Club's nickname have flooded in over recent weeks from
members and public alike, whilst local radio and newspapers have run
competitions. Ideas have varied from the traditional to the extreme and,
having arrived at its final decision, Paul Millman, Chief Executive,
commented: 

"We have been overwhelmed by the interest in the new name. We are 
very grateful to all those who have taken the trouble to phone and 
write in with their ideas. It's not been an easy decision trying to 
reconcile the traditions of cricket in Kent with the trends in 
modern cricket all of which are aimed at broadening the appeal of 
the game to new audiences." 

History tells of the massive support there was in Kent for the 
Spitfire effort during the Second World War with no less than 12 
airfields throughout Kent taking part in the defence of the country 
from enemy attack. Not only did Kent play a defensive role but many 
of those same airfields played a significant role as Advanced 
Landing Grounds for the fighters and light bombers involved in the 
invasion force of 1944. Indeed, such was the support for the 
Spitfire cause that the people of Kent, responding to a challenge 
issued by the Kent Messenger, raised sufficient money to finance a 
whole squadron of 22 planes. 

In linking the past with the present, Kent Spitfires are teaming up 
with the Club's main sponsor, Shepherd Neame, to ensure the new name is
communicated into pubs and cricket clubs throughout the County. The new
National League kit will bear the name and logo of Shepherd Neame's highly
successful Premium Kentish Ale. 

Stuart Neame, Vice Chairman of Shepherd Neame, expressed his support for
the concept: 

"We are delighted to extend our support of the County Club to 
include this innovation. Cricket must reach new audiences and we 
are convinced that Spitfire Premium Ale and Kent Spitfires can 
combine to do this." 

<Press Release Ends>

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See our Visitors' Book on the website for some of the other 
suggestions supporters had - including letters from a number of people who
wanted Kent to stay the only county without a nickname.

The first National League game is on Sunday at 1.30pm, when 
Kent (Spitfires) take on Lancashire (Lightning).