Kent Continue Charge Towards Division 1 With A Strong Bowling Performance
Kent got onto the coach for the trip north knowing a win would place them in a very strong chance to wrap up the title next week.
The team news was good and everyone declared themselves fit for the game, therefore the squad would be the same as last week.
Kent elected to have a bat first up and the choice was to prove critical in the match. As the Kent openers strolled to the middle the home team suddenly knew they would see a damn good side in action at last!!
B.Allen obliterated the opening bowlers to all parts before a major mix up saw him fall a few feet short of his ground for 19. A.Flower got down on his keens and begged for forgiveness as Allen headed back to the pavilion. Stevie Waugh was next in and soon found his rhythm, however things got a lot worse for visitors when Flower drove a ferocious drive that took the mid off; off his feet but somehow managed to hold the catch, the home bowlers then applied the pressure and slowed the scoring right down, with Waugh and Marsh at the middle scoring was never going to be action packed, but this was tough work for even these guys. However a huge partnership was building and even S.Pollocks introduction of a 7th bowler didn’t get them anywhere.
However the outfield had seen a lot of rain in the last week and as a result boundary’s were nearly impossible to hit unless it was hit over the top and landed within a few meters of the rope, which made scoring very hard and a score of around 200 :P would be handy.
S.Pollock was getting desperate now with the board ticking over and Kent having built a solid foundation in which to attack from, so he turned back to his fellow opener G.Chapple who did the trick, dismissing S.Waugh LBW for a solid 48… The normally reserved Waugh could be heard over the stump microphone saying he would have him in the bar later.
Marsh was joined in the middle with England opener M.Butcher, Butch didn’t find the score any easier (but obliviously a lot better than Warwickshire :P
) both batsman continued in the harsh batting conditions (a pitch compliant report will be issued!) and added a further 40 runs without loss, Marsh showing guts and determination in the situation and hit yet another well deserved 50 ending on 64* and M.Butcher added a useful 34*
Kent ended the 50 overs on 199/3, a decent score considering the conditions but a few more would have made the manager slightly more comfortable.
Kent – 199/3
Marsh – 64*
Waugh – 48
Butcher – 34*
G.Chapple 10 2 31 1
A.Mascarenhas 8 2 32 1
In reply Warwickshire required 200 at just 4 an over.
Warwickshire never got in on the hunt losing wickets for fun, to be all out for just 105. S Jayasuria 28 (32) and S.Pollock 20 (14) the only guys to get in the runs.
1-9 | 2-15 | 3-37 | 4-50 | 5-73 | 6-85 | 7-85 | 8-103 | 9-103 | 10-105
M.McCague 3 – 1 – 7 - 1
S Hutton 7 – 0 – 41 - 2
H.Singh 6 – 2 – 8 - 1
G.Batty 5 – 2 – 22 - 2
Kent Won By 94 Runs – MOM S.Waugh
Interview with the Kent manager,
I - Good game Rich?
Yes another fine perfromance from the lads there... showed great fight espically in the bowling department after such a low target needed to be defened.
I - So what happened just before you came over to talk to us?
Oh I had a little problem with the Warwickshire manager, who should we say was a tad upset with the loss and said he wantted to kill me.... (don't worry Muzza iam sure you was joking right Muzza :rolleyes: ) Just incase I've hired the 20 minders, and then a few extra for the 4 day match next week.....
I - Oh well I wasn't expecting that
Oh don't worry mate, but just incase iam going to make a move just incase, see you next week
I - Will do good luck