Kent story

[djmaddison8]

Key Helps Kent Build Lead



Rob Key hit another half century as Kent closed almost 200 runs ahead of Northamptonshire.

Kent were frustrated in the morning session, after James Tredwell removed David Sales early. Some late order hitting from David Willey and Chaminda Vaas quickly turned into a large partnership, in which there was seemingly an LBW or caught behind appeal for every run, until a visibly exasperated Rob Key turned to Jamie Dalrymple, who promptly ripped one through Vaas' defences. Northants were 363-8 at lunch though and threatening Kent's total.

As it turned out, Tredwell quickly completed his 5-fer and Willey was sent on his way by Mark Davies for an exciting 81. Rob Key and Sam Northeast put on a quick 50 as they looked to build a lead, and Northeast would have been hoping to continue with his first decent start of the season, but once again he fell LBW to a ball pitching just outside off stump and swinging in. Key looked in great form though, milking Vaas for runs as he did in the first innings, and soon had his second fifty of the match.

Captain Sales soon realised that his opposite number could take the game out of reach and spread the field. Key and Brendan Nash continued to exchange singles though and Key will be kicking himself that he had a century for the taking and was out stumped off the part time off spin of Robert White. Nash and Mike Powell then played for tomorrow and the only question seems to be when the declaration will come.

[djmaddison8]

Newton Guides Northants to Draw



The match between Northamptonshire and Kent petered out into a draw as Kent were unable to force the pace.

The fate of the match was almost certainly decided by the first session of the day. Kent scored less than a hundred runs, seemingly unable to up the tempo. Brendan Nash completed his half century, but then got out, whilst Darren Stevens got bogged down as he had at the end of his first innings. Only Mike Powell showed the necessary aggression but he was caught on the boundary attempting a big hit off Chaminda Vaas.

Things did move along when Stevens got himself out caught behind for Jack Brooks' 7th wicket of the match, but 321 to win for Northants never looked likely and they were even less inclined to chase it when they lost both openers before tea. Kent crowded the bat and Mark Davies swung one in to trap Kyle Coetzer LBW before Stephen Peters edged Charlie Shreck to 1st slip where James Tredwell took it diving to his left.

There was excitement in the Kent camp after Niall O'Brien edged Tredwell to Jamie Dalrymple, but it gradually faded as Rob Newton and David Sales dead-batted everything that came their way. Eventually Rob Key relaxed the field and brought on Dalrymple and Nash and the fat lady could be heard warming up in the pavilion. There was just about time for Newton to complete an attractive half century before the captains shook hands.

[djmaddison8]

Kent vs Gloucestershire



Kent host Gloucestershire for their first home match of the season, on what looks to be a turning deck. djmaddison8 seems to be taking a leaf out of England's book on selction issues, sticking with what he feels is his best side, but surely players such as Sam Northeast and Charlie Shreck need to perform in this match or some second team players will be called up.

Gloucestershire's main issue is whether anyone other than Will Gidman will step up to the plate and perform. They have suffered heavy defeats in both matches so far, but Will's brother Alex has won the toss and Gloucestershire will bat.

[djmaddison8]

Marshall, Williamson Hundreds Punish Kent



Gloucestershire's batsmen made hay against a poor Kent attack on the first day at Canterbury. A partnership of 262 between two New Zealanders, Hamish Marshall and Kane Williamson, left them with 383-3 at the close of play.

Gloucs started slowly in the morning session, scoring only 3 runs off the first 7 overs, before Marshall finally broke the shackles with a drive down the ground off Charlie Shreck. Boundaries flowed after that and when Shreck removed Chris Dent LBW, Williamson carried on where Dent had left off, Gloucs reaching lunch at 100-1.

The pair went up a gear after lunch, with Kent providing another display of not being able to stop the run flow. Although they tried all six of their recognised bowling options, Marshall and Williamson found the gaps easily and both reached tea in the 90s having hit 21 fours and 3 sixes between them.

Mark Davies bowled a tight spell, but both batsmen reached 100s and looked like carrying on. With the seamers rested before the new ball, James Tredwell and Jamie Dalrymple were punished heavily. The second ball did bring some respite for Kent, as Marshall and Williamson fell to Matt Coles and Davies respectively, but the Gidman brothers looked in ominous form as they carried on forcing the pace right up to the close of play.

[LastWicket]

I'm currently in my third season with Kent: It's really REALLY tough going: Most of the youth are not worthy of a first team place in the future, I've finished bottom of T20 & OD in both seasons and was 16/18 in the 2 seasons of CC. Of the original Kent squad, only Key and Davies remain! Their finances are not too bad though, so good contract negoitations in the future can reap rewards!

Bowling sides out is the major problem with Kent, Tredwell rarely gets any wickets, Coles is expensive, Davies is economical but doesn't pick up many wickets and the 4th bowler is always weak (though Stevens / Dalrymple are handy 5th bowler materials).

Have fun with the challenge!

Im having similar problems with Kent as your gettin with bat and ball. The batting is like watching England against Walsh and Ambrose, Akram and Younis and Warne and McGrath. Bowling is just as bad. I was hoping Coles would be half decent this year as he has done well with the ball (kent leading wicket taker) and not bad with the bat this year IRL.

Also havn't Bell-Drummond and Ball not develop into good county players in your save?

[djmaddison8]

Gloucestershire on Course for Maximum Points



Gloucestershire's bowlers decimated Kent's middle order to leave the hosts still needing 135 to avoid the follow on.

From the position they were in yesterday, Kent's bowlers did well to bowl Gloucestershire out for 460. This was mainly thanks to James Tredwell finding some turn to continue his good form for the season. Only Will Gidman really stuck around as his partners perished trying to find quick runs. Kent's openers had 2 overs to survive before lunch as clouds began to form, but survive they did.

Rob Key continued the good form he has shown, hitting 45 off 57 balls before Graeme McCarter induced an edge. Sam Northeast was advancing much more slowly, but the important thing for him was he wasn't looking like getting out. Even when Brendan Nash gave his wicket away, Northeast looked comfortable against Gloucs' 4-man seam attack, but Kane Williamson showed that he too can turn the ball as he spun one past the outside edge to clip Northeast's off stump.

Kent needed to rebuild after tea but two beauties from Ian Saxelby either side of a needless run out put paid to that. First Saxelby completely deceived Darren Stevens with a slower ball, then got Jamie Dalrymple to edge behind just moments after he had run out his partner Mike Powell. With half an hour of the session to go, Geraint Jones and Matt Coles shut up shop and played for the close.

[djmaddison8]

Powell, Dalrymple Dig In as Kent Follow On



Mike Powell and Jamie Dalrymple batted nearly 3 hours for just 68 runs but Kent still look like they are heading for defeat.

Kent's lower order performed admirably in an attempt to avoid the follow on, with Matt Coles showing the specialist batsmen how its done, not for the first time this season. He was out to Will Gidman's first over with the new ball, but Geraint Jones farmed the strike well and started to hit out, accompanied first by James Tredwell then by Mark Davies.

When lunch arrived just over 30 runs were needed, but Jones was bowled by Ian Saxelby, ending hopes of acheiving both the follow on target and his century. Kent's openers were surrounded by catchers and Sam Northeast took the opportunity to hit a legside six but Gidman bowled him the very next ball to take his revenge. Rob Key took 23 balls to get off the mark but he needn't have bothered as he gave it away with a poor attempted cut shot. Brendan Nash and Darren Stevens also fell before tea as Kent looked destined for defeat.

Gloucestershire didn't take another wicket though, as Powell and Dalrymple played excrutiatingly slowly. Powell's 36 came off 142 balls and Dalrymple's 25 off 87. Kent will need more of the same if they are to save this match.

[djmaddison8]

Dent, Gidmans Knock Off Easy Target



Gloucestershire recorded their first win of the campaign as they beat Kent by 7 wickets.

Mike Powell and Jamie Dalrymple had carried on where they left off last night before Dalrymple edged behind off Ian Saxelby. Powell poked and prodded his way to 50 off 171 balls but was bowled by Graeme McCarter, followed by Geraint Jones in the same over. Matt Coles and James Tredwell frustrated Gloucs for the second time in the match, putting on 71 in quick time and for a while it looked like they might rescue the game, but Tredwell will have been annoyed to get out to fellow off spinner Kane Williamson.

The chase of 86 started shakily, as Mark Davies removed both centurions from the first innings. His bowling partner Charlie Shreck was having a nightmare however, as his 3 overs went for 24 and he then dropped Chris Dent at backward point. Dent did eventually get out to Tredwell, but it was too little too late for Kent who now sit 8th in the 2nd Division table.

[djmaddison8]

Kent vs Yorkshire



County Championship Division 2 leaders Yorkshire travel to Kent today to play the side they beat at Headingley just a couple of weeks ago. Kent have made two changes following their defeat by Gloucestershire. Young opening batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond replaces Sam Northeast after showing impressive form for the second team. Simon Cook replaces Charlie Shreck who has looked completely out of sorts so far this season. Yorkshire make one change from the side that played Kent, Adam Lyth comes in for Joe Sayers.

The news from the toss is that Andrew Gale has called correctly and will bat first.

[djmaddison8]

Ballance, Davies Perform on Even First Day



Gary Ballance hit 135 off 194 balls but Mark Davies took 5-60 to bowl Yorkshire out for 341 at Canterbury.

The visitors were helped by a good start as openers Phil Jaques and Andrew Gale put on 75 together. There was not much happening for Kent's seam bowlers and James Tredwell was expensive, but Davies came back to bowl a second spell of 6-0-17-3 including Jonny Bairstow for just 2.

The second session was all Yorkshire's though, as Ballance combined with South African wicketkeeper Morne van Wyk to hit 140 runs before tea. Ballance was the quicker of the two, with two huges sixes over long on, and had reached 97 by the interval.

Van Wyk fell to a fantastic slip catch by Daniel Bell-Drummond, but Ballance brought up his hundred with a straight drive for four off Matt Coles. Wickets began to fall at the other end though, as Adam Lyth edged Coles to Rob Key and Kent's two spinners removed Tim Bresnan and Adil Rashid. Davies returned to clean up the tail with the new ball and Key and Bell-Drummond survived the one possible over from Bresnan.

[djmaddison8]

Kent Avoid Follow on but Yorkshire on Top



Yorkshire closed day 2 on 91-2, a lead of 232, after bowling Kent out for 200.

Most of the damage was done in the first session. As has been a feature of Yorkshire's play this season, Tim Bresnan and Ryan Sidebottom bowled a tight line with the new ball and Kent didn't score their first boundary until the 16th over when Moin Ashraf came on to bowl. By then Daniel Bell-Drummond had already succumbed to Sidebottom and Rob Key was bowled by Adil Rashid in the next over. When Steven Patterson took two wickets in an over, it was left to Brendan Nash and Jamie Dalrymple to repair the innings, Nash reaching lunch on 30 from 78 balls.

He was still on that score when Bresnan enticed him to edge behind 4 overs later. Better was to come for Kent though as Dalrymple put on 45 with Geraint Jones and 73 with Matt Coles, Kent's most consistent batsman this season at No. 8, to leave them needing just 3 runs to avoid the follow on at tea.

Both men fell almost as soon as that target had been acheived though and Kent's tail didn't last long. Bresnan finished with figures of 4-48. Phil Jaques and Andrew Gale came out all guns blazing but the Yorkshire captain again failed to capitilise on a start as he was caught out by an inventive field placing, edging Simon Cook to Darren Stevens at leg slip, Cook's first wicket of the season. Jonny Bairstow then edged behind off James Tredwell but Jaques and first innings centurion Gary Ballance remain.

[djmaddison8]

Key Out as Kent Chase 469



Kent lost Rob Key for 31 before the close as they chase an unlikely victory target after Yorkshire declared.

Yorkshire managed only 75 runs in the morning session as all Kent's bowlers found some rhythm. Phil Jaques reached his fifty but was trapped LBW by James Tredwell soon after. Simon Cook bowled an inspired 9 overs that somehow managed to yield just one wicket. He had Morne van Wyk dropped twice in the slips and Gary Ballance edged just wide of leg slip before he finally got his man as Tredwell remembered how to catch. Adam Lyth then dug in to score just 2 from 43 balls before lunch.

Tredwell's torrid time in the field continued as he dropped Lyth off Matt Coles and he was eventually moved out of the slips even when not bowling. Van Wyk reached his second 50 of the match but fell to Mark Davies. That brought in Tim Bresnan who was in no mood to hang around. Kent brought on Darren Stevens and Jamie Dalrymple as they sensed a declaration and they were suitably punished.

Bresnan eventually scored 72 off 82 balls before eventually being bowled by a Dalrymple full toss and Andrew Gale declared soon after, setting kent an unlikely 469 to win. Key and Daniel Bell-Drummond started brightly, with the latters 44* coming off just 48 balls with 9 boundaries, but Key edged behind off Adil Rashid with 3 overs to go until the close of play.

[djmaddison8]

Tredwell Heroics Not Enough to Save Kent



James Tredwell hit a magnificent hundred as nightwatchman at No. 3 as Kent came close to pulling off the great escape.

Although Kent looked beaten before play started today, they seemed determined to give the crowd something to get excited about. Daniel Bell-Drummond reached his half-century with a six off Tim Bresnan from the 4th ball of the day. He fell for a good-looking 62 but Kent continued to chase. Nightwatchman Tredwell was going for everything and Brendan Nash just gave him the strike. At lunch they were 204-2 and with 265 needed from two sessions, with 8 wickets in hand it was game on.

Hopes of a huge upset continued after lunch as Tredwell and Nash piled on the runs. Nash and Mike Powell fell to Adil Rashid, wicket numbers 3 and 4 for him, but Tredwell found support in Darren Stevens and when he brought up his 4th First Class century he looked as shocked as everyone else. The new ball would always provide the real test though and Ryan Sidebottom castled Stevens but just 156 runs were required from the last session.

A visibly frustrated Bresnan finally got the break-through soon after tea as Tredwell edged to Adam Lyth. With Tredwell gone, so was Kent's spirit and the question now was whether they could hold on for a draw. Jamie Dalrymple batted well but was left stranded on 56* as Rashid bowled Mark Davies to record a 5-wicket haul and an 82 run win for Yorkshire.

[djmaddison8]

Oxford UCCE vs Kent



Kent have a break from their County Championship schedule as they head to Oxford to play a University team. 6 players are rested from their recent defeat to Yorkshire; Key, Nash, Dalrymple, Jones, Tredwell and Davies who are presumably seen as first choice players. This gives further opportunities to the likes of Sam Northeast, Mike Powell and Matt Coles to show form, as well as rewarding Ben Harmison, Alex Blake, Sam Billings, Adam Riley and Ben Kemp for good performances in the second team. Kemp is on First Class debut.

Darren Stevens captains this new look side and he won the toss and elected to bat.

[djmaddison8]

Jeffrey Takes Five as Kent Disappoint



Oxford University's Glenn Jeffrey took 5 wickets as Kent were bowled out for 255 on day one.

When Darren Stevens elected to bat he would have expected his side to do just that for the day and it certainly looked like they would when Daniel Bell-Drummond and Ben Harmison put on 66 for the 2nd wicket. Harmison fell before lunch, but 104-2 still looked ominous for Oxford.

With favourable weather conditions though, the local seam bowlers ripped through Kent's experimental lineup like seasoned pros and the total could have been even more humiliating had it not been for a last wicket partnership of 36 between Adam Riley and Ben Kemp.

Matt Coles and Simon Cook bowled a hostile opening spell but Oxford survived and will hope to put Kent under some pressure tomorrow.