South Australia v Kent @ Adelaide
Australian Internationals Sparkle In 86 Run Win Over Kent
Well after much hype from both the managers, the game didn’t disappoint with 582 runs scored in just 88 Overs.
Kent arrived in sunny Australia with very high expectations for the match, after a bright start to the season and knowing a win could possibly take them to the top of the league if other results went their way.
South Australia won the toss and decided to bat on a nice looking pitch that was unlikely to offer much assistance to the bowlers.
Kent were hoping for an early wicket and M.Saggers did just that removing the opener of D.Fitzgerald for 6. Kent then were made to pay for some poor bowling after the wicket, and it was only when the wicket of M.Miller went for a well built 49 at just over a run a ball. Kent then couldn’t capitalize on the breakthrough and South Australia and Australian international D.Lehmann in particularly began to punish the Kent attack in a scintillating knock of 154* from only 101 balls. Meanwhile G.Blewett was making a rather subdued knock of 56 (83) mainly because he was playing second fiddle to D.Lehmann, before he was clean bowled by M.McCague with the score on 175/3. Things already looked ominous to Kent and they knew that they would be chasing a very big total if they didn’t buck their ideas up and bowl better and quickly. R.Harris 18 (22) then added a further 52 to the score with Lehmann, Harris adding just 18 of the partnership before he was caught behind off the spinner of M.Patel. C.Davies was next to the middle and was yet another batsman who scored his runs at more than a run a ball, scoring 20 (19) before he gave P.Nixon his third catch behind of the innings, this time of the bowling of M.Fleming. S.Deitz and Lehmann then saw the home side to the end of the 50 overs, with a colossal 334/5 on the board. This is the second time Kent have been required to chase over 330 this season (you think I would get the hint to strengthen my bowling).
The star of the South Australian side was unquestionably D.Lehmann who score 154* of just 101 balls.
The bowling was wayward and undisciplined and only M.McCague 10 - 2 – 42 – 1 and M.Fleming 10 – 2 – 42 – 1 showed any sign of some respectable figures. However it was good to see that all the bowlers got in on the action and each bowler finished with a wicket each.
In reply Kent required a mammoth 335 at 6.7 an over from the start.
Kent’s reply got off to the worse possible start when the pinch hitter M.Fleming was removed for just 4, by P.Wilson in the first over of the Kent reply. Kent were needing a big innings from somebody if they were going to even get close to the target, however it wasn't going to be the inform R.Key as he was clean bowled by M.Harrity for just 17. However this dismissal seemed to spark Kent into life and B.Lara and J.Hockley attacked with everything they had, and obliterated the SA bowling attack in an onslaught that had every Kent fan hoping that after all this could be their day. However hopes were dashed when B.Lara departed for an exhilarating 56 from just 35 balls, looking set to beat the fastest 100 if he stayed at the crease. All the hope now lay on the young shoulders of J.Hockley, however the presser got to the youngster and a rash shot bought his demise for a well-constructed 68 from 55 balls. Kent now had two new batsman at the centre and the writing was soon being written on the wall when M.Walker failed only adding 3 (3) to the score. Again Kent were determined to at least go down fighting M.Ealham felt attacking was the best way to go and was unfortunate to be dismissed for 32 (22) when the ball didn’t seem to carry to the fielder. Meanwhile the Kent wicketkeeper was keeping the scoring going at the other end scoring a respectable 29 (28) before becoming the fourth M.Harrity victim. D.Fulton was joined at the middle by the Kent spinner M.Patel. the pair both scored runs but just couldn’t keep up with the rising rate that was required before D.Fulton was dismissed for 19 and M.Patel for just 12. M.McCague 0 (1) and M.Saggers 0 (4) came to the middle knowing that any chance of winning was gone, and they were plying to improve their own averages, however after just two extras M.McCague was the last man out.
South Australia bowling was a good example of how to contain the runs and some super displays from M.Harrity 8 - 3 - 43 – 4 and P.McIntyre 5 – 1 – 21 – 2 were the main stars of the bowling department.
A very disappointing display by the bowlers ment that the Kent batsman had no other alternative but to attack which lead to their demise.
One intresting fact was the number of maidens bowled = 12, by both teams, yet the scoring wouldn’t seem to represent this.
Kent manager Rich2001 was very disappointed by the result and is looking for some revenge in the Marc Cup later this week, yet was still happy enough to take SA manager G.Blewett for a congratulation drink after the game.
Summary
SA – 334/5 - D.Lehmann 154*, G.Blewett 56
M.McCague 10 - 2 – 42 – 1 M.Fleming 10 – 2 – 42 – 1
Kent – 248ao - J.Hockley 68, B.Lara 56
M.Harrity 8 - 3 - 43 – 4 P.McIntyre 5 – 1 – 21 – 2
South Australia won by 86 runs
Unsurprisingly the Man Of The Match award went to D.Lehmann for his 154*