Zak Crowley is recording 175/107. If that is his blood pressure then it is stage 2 hypertension and probably his stage of health has been summarized during the recent test series. Fortunately, it is not a matter of systolic and diastolic readings, but the runs divided by the balls faced in the Vitality Blast. This shows that he is slowly recovering again.
Not that his 43 off 29 balls, as was welcome for him and England, made much of a difference in the greater scheme of things. Kent's second defeat of the season could not have been more emphatic as Gloucestershire beat them by eight wickets in Bristol with 38 balls to spare. As a result of that, Gloucestershire enters the top four of the South group at the mid-point of the group stages.
As Crowley scored 267 against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl in August last year, and had listened to several fine judges, among them legendary stylist Ted Dexter, fuming in approval, followed up with five single-figure scores in six . He failed against India and New Zealand in common with many, but his slight confusion could be forgiven when a small trigger movement - nothing more than a twitch - was attracting more attention than the horrors occurring elsewhere. .
Resuming his Test career against India at Trent Bridge in early August doesn't sound like endless T20 preparations, but he should get the hang of it where possible. He has been part of a strong Kent top-order that has taken him to the top of the South group - this defeat notwithstanding - and his strike rate of 163 per hundred balls has been highly respectable.
Against Gloucestershire, he stood still, ready to attack. Australian overseas fast bowler Dan Worrall from Gloucestershire felt the force as the third and fourth balls in the first over were deposited at midwicket. The first was straight and was fitted with care to the four; The second, a little wider, invited conviction and flew over the ropes.
He was lucky not to be caught offside by David Payne on 35, the ball falling safely between the two fielders, but on 43, a slog-sweep against slow left-hander Tom Smith at Worrall at deep square. fell down.
Without his captain Sam Billings, now back on England duty, Kent was not at his most enthusiastic. Joe Denly and Jack Leaning fall on low extra - at least Denly strikes his own - and Alex Blake hits legside, with a fine running catch by Jack Taylor over his shoulder. Darren Stevens should have been caught at deep cover by Chris Dent, who probably had the sun in his eye, only for Dent to take a more difficult chance, pulling a ball to his right, 11 balls from the end, off Worrall.
Only some late defiance from Jordan Cox provided the illusion of a vaguely competitive total.
Gloucestershire's satisfaction was cut short by an ankle injury from Ian Cockbain, who retired hurt on 30, but such a comfortable win has done wonders for their run rate.
Miles Hammond began his chase in ideal fashion, hitting the first two balls at cover for four and then the first two of the fourth, off Grant Stewart, for six over square leg. With 55 out of 4.4, he attempted a charging pull against Matt Milnes and missed a comfortable chance: his 33 was his best comeback in the tournament.
Chris Dent's 21 runs in the final over of the powerplay gave Stewart the idea of doing two overs for 38. With 75 for 1 and the required rate in just five overs, Kent's challenge fell short. Glenn Phillips (41 not out from 25 balls) rounded things up with a switch-hit six against Denly.