Kent LV County Championship Division One at Trent Bridge Win 22 points

 

Day 4

3,2,1, GO - KENT CRASH

Demolished by Paterson and Hutton

An amazing fourth day at Trent Bridge saw Notts record a crucial and massive 321 run victory over a heavily depleted and what turned out to be a demoralised Kent. Leading by 210 overnight, Notts added 196 runs in 22 madcaps overs with Kent captain Jack Leaning electing early doors to put all nine of his outfielders on the ropes. The distinctly average Kent attack were deposited to all parts after Ben Slater was dismissed in the opening over without adding to his overnight score. Will Young ended his three-game spell with Notts with 299 runs to his name @59.80 after scoring a 79-ball 87 (5x4, 3x6) he was supported by a 47-ball 73 (8x4, 3x6) from Joe Clarke. Notts declared at 372-6 setting Kent an unlikely 407 off 72 overs at 5.65 RPO. Standing at 17-3 at lunch they had all their stomach knocked out of them and by mid-afternoon they were all out for 85 with Paterson (5-41) and Hutton (4-44) running amok. The margin of victory was third largest in Notts’ championship history.

With the sixth delivery of the morning Slater (87) was lbw to Evison (Radcliffe Road End), 177 for 2 off 42 overs. Clarke hit Leaning for six over square leg, 14 off the 45th over. After two overs from Leaning he replaced himself with Jas Singh. Clarke was dropped on 26 off Evison by Arshdeep Singh at mid-off. Young reached his 50 off 49 balls. Clarke carved Arshdeep Singh for six over backward point to get to 50 in 25 balls and off the last delivery of the over, which cost 20, Clarke hit Arshdeep Singh for 6 over long on. Jas Singh replaced his namesake for the 53rd over and a pulled boundary by Young off him brought up the 100 partnership in 65 balls. Evison was replaced by Quinn for the 54th over. Clarke was caught on the deep mid-wicket by Leaning on the run for 73, Jas Singh the bowler. Notts 291 for 3 in the 55th over. The third wicket had added 114 in 12.5 overs. Moores (9) was caught at long off with Blake grasping the ball over his head off Jas Singh, 316 for 4 in the 57th over. Later in the same over, Young hit Jas Singh for 6 over mid-wicket. Young (87) was caught on the square leg ropes by Compton diving forward off Quinn, 330 for 5. Mullaney hit Quinn for 6 over cover in the 62nd over. Bhuiyan came on from the Pavilion End for the 63rd over with James hitting him for two sixes over long leg the second sporting given as six with Toby Albert taking the catch with his right heel just touching the rope. Mullaney then hit a six over point. Off the last ball of an over which went for 20, Mullaney (23) lost his middle stump going for a big hit over extra cover leaving James unbeaten on 22. Notts immediately declared on 372 for 6 off 63 overs.

Kent had 30 minutes batting before lunch with Hutton (Radcliffe Road End) and Paterson sharing the new ball. In the third over, a brilliant delivery from Hutton that nipped back removed Albert’s off stump, the loanee out for a 4-ball 0, 5 for 1. Geddes was caught at short leg by Slater off Paterson for 1, 8 for 2 in the 6th over. In the last over before lunch, Compton was leg before to Paterson for 8, 17 for 3 off 7.4 overs. Lunch was immediately taken with Leaning on 8. An unbelievably successful session for Notts and Kent fielding a virtual second team never recovered from it, rolling over 65 minutes into the second session.

Off the last ball of the 11th over, Finch was lbw to Hutton for 12, the keeper believing he had inside edged the delivery, 34 for 4. Top-scorer Leaning (21) playing a pull shot under edged a short delivery from Hutton with Moores taking the catch by his ankles, 59 for 5 in the 15th over. Eight balls later, Evison (5) fell to a catch low down to his right by Young at third slip off Paterson. The umpires conferred before giving Evison out, 64 for 6 in the 16th over. Kent were now completely demoralised. Quinn (12) softened by a blow to the wedding bells by Hutton fell in the following over caught pulling a short delivery from Paterson by substitute Ben Martindale who took well-judged catch at long leg, 78 for 7 in the 18th over. Three balls later, Blake (19) was dismissed via a catch on the square leg ropes by Mullaney off Hutton, 78 for 8 in the 19th over. Arshdeep Singh hit Paterson for six over mid-wicket but was out next ball, slogging Paterson to the square leg boundary where Hutton took the catch diving to his left, 85 for 9 in the 20th over. Notts aware of their slow bowling rate threw the ball to Harrison for the 21st over. He failed to take a hat-trick, having removed the final two Kent batsmen in the first innings in successive balls, Jas Singh playing out a maiden. Then to everyone’s surprise Hameed stepped up to bowl the 22nd over of the innings. With his third delivery the occasional off-spinner gained his maiden first-class scalp having Bhuiyan caught by James low at mid-wicket. Kent bowled out on what was now an easy batting surface at 14:45 for a paltry 85 in 21.3 overs with the star bowling duo Hutton and Paterson proving too hot to handle, both taking seven wickets in the contest. Hutton is the leading wicket-taker in the championship with 52 wickets @20.57 and Paterson has 44 wickets @24.90. It was hard to believe less than 24 hours before Kent had been 57 runs behind Notts’ first innings total with five first innings wickets remaining. The contest had that stage appeared to be meandering towards a draw until two brilliant moving deliveries in successive overs by Paterson bowled two well set batsmen in Finch and Evison. The Kent defences had been breached and the match was then turned on it’s head.

Notts are now 33 points ahead of Kent with both teams having three games to play. Both teams will meet up at Canterbury in their respective next games in 44 days’ time! MAG

Day 3

NOTTS FIGHT BACK

After a productive second half of the day, Notts closed the penultimate day of this fixture leading by 210 runs with nine second innings wickets still standing. On a wicket getting easier to bat on, Kent stood on 293-5 before Dane Paterson bowled top scorer Harry Finch (73) and Joey Evison (49) in successive overs. Leg-spinner Calvin Harrison celebrated signing a new three year contract the previous day by mopping up the tail taking three wickets in 9 balls to finish with a career best 4-28. Kent had subsided to 316 all out losing their last 5 wickets for 23. What was seemingly developing into a nice first innings lead for the visitors had turned out to be a 34-run deficit. Notts batted throughout the third session in afternoon/early evening sunshine raced to 176 for 1 in 41 overs with first innings centurion Ben Slater on 87 not out.

With a dark sky and in humid conditions, Brett Hutton took a wicket with 11th ball of the morning having Geddes (36) caught at second slip by Harrison, 103 for three in the 43rd over. Hutton and Paterson both bowled six over spells and were replaced by James and Mullaney for the 54th and 55th overs respectively. Fletcher as expected not appearing on the field of play due to the aggravation of his ankle injury. Despite the overhead conditions, Leaning and Finch looked in little trouble adding 54 in 23 overs of circumspect batting. Harrison replaced James and with his second delivery had Leaning (38) caught by Mullaney at slip, the ball ballooning high in the air off Moores’ gloves, 157 for 4 in the 66th over. Hutton replaced Mullaney from the Radcliffe Road End for the 69th over. One-day specialist Alex Blake was putting bat to ball, hitting Harrison for a straight six in the 79th over. Paterson returned for the 72nd over but after four deliveries a short shower stopped play at 13:07 with lunch immediately taken, Kent 184 for 4 off 71.4 overs with Finch on 32 and Blake on 16 at the interval. A pretty unmemorable session of cricket.

No overs were lost as play recommenced at 13:47 with Mullaney and James bowling. The Kent 200 came up in the 75th over. The new ball was taken with Kent 213 for 4 off 80 overs and with its second delivery Finch hit Hutton for a boundary through long off to reach his 50 off 118 balls. Three balls later, Blake (30) departed leg before to Hutton, 218 for 5. Evison played a fine innings, reminding the Trent Bridge faithful of his talents which the coach considered to be in too young a body. In the 84th over, Evison pulled a short ball from Paterson for six. Kent got to their first batting point in the 86th over with Moores allowing four byes through off Paterson. James replaced Paterson for the 88th over. Paterson changed ends and replaced Hutton for the 93rd over. Harrison was brought back from the Pavilion End in the 98th over. Harry Finch's long vigil finally ended when he was bowled shouldering arms to Paterson and had his off bail removed, 293 for 6 in the 99th over. Finch had faced 230 balls and hit 8 boundaries in his 73. The sixth wicket had raised 75 runs in 18 overs. The Kent 300 was reached in exactly 100 overs. Evison’s (49 off 69 balls, 7x4, 1x6) innings was ended when Paterson removed his off stump, 300 for 7 in the 101at over. He looked in good form throughout adding impetus to the Kent innings and it came as a great surprise when he was dismissed. Quinn's (9) not so mighty innings ended when he sliced an attempted leg side shot off Harrison who had him well caught low down by substitute Hayes running in from the deep cover ropes, 308 for 8 in the 102nd over. Jas Singh was dropped on 6 by Young running round from the deep cover boundary off Harrison. Next ball Arshdeep Singh was caught on the square leg ropes by James off Harrison, 316 for 9. Harrison made it two from two, Ararat going for a golden duck plumb lbw to the leg-spinner 316 all out off 104 overs, Harrison (7-1-28-4) after Paterson had removed two well set batters in successive overs. Notts led by 34 runs after the first innings.

Notts had 41 overs to face with Arshdeep Singh (Pavilion End) and Quinn sharing the new ball. What had been a grim day had changed to glorious sunshine in relative clear blue skies. Slater and Hameed looked in no trouble. Evison came on for the 9th over. Arshdeep Singh changed ends and replaced Quinn from the Radcliffe Road End for the 12th over. A cover driven four by Slater off Arshdeep Singh brought up the 50 partnership for the opening wicket off 96 balls. Jas Singh and Bhuiyan came on for the 18th and 19th overs respectively as Leaning kept shuffling his bowling pack. Slater reached 50 off 73 balls with a boundary through backward point off Jas Singh. Quinn came on for the 24th over. Jas Singh was reintroduced for 27th over with the 100 partnership for the opening stand reached in just 158 balls. Arshdeep Singh returned for the 32nd over. Jack Leaning came on for the 34th over with Arshdeep Singh changing ends and he bagged Hameed (45) caught behind by Finch, 131 for 1 in the 35th over. Young blazed a quickfire 32 not out in 19 balls hitting Blake’s offies for successive sixes over mid-wicket and long off with 15 coming off the 39th over. Forty-runs had been added 6.1 overs for the second wicket when stumps were drawn at 19:07. Slater having faced 138 balls so far in his unbeaten 87 which included 11 boundaries.

Notts will be looking for quick runs tomorrow morning to try to set up some kind of declaration which ensures that they cannot lose against their relegation rivals but gives them sufficient overs to bowl Kent out on a flat deck. They also have to factor in being without the use one of their opening bowlers. MAG

Day 2

FLETCHER LIMPS OFF BEFORE RAIN SETS IN

On a disappointing day for Notts, a completely patched up and threadbare Kent trail by 248 runs with eight first innings wickets still standing.

On a glorious sunny morning, Kent took the new ball immediately with Arshdeep Singh (Pavilion End) and Quinn sharing the bowling duties. Moores and James made slow progress adding 6 runs in 4 overs. In the 86th over, Moores hit Arshdeep Singh for two fours in three balls, in an over costing 10 runs. A four through, mid-wicket by Moores off Arshdeep Singh took Notts to 300 on the 88th over. Disappointingly Notts failed to kick on and lost their last 5 wickets for 49 runs. Moores fell in the 89th over for 94 (off 128 balls, 12x4) caught in the gulley by Albert off Quinn, 301 for 6. Evison picked up his second wicket when Harrison (8) edged to Compton at first slip, 318 for 7 off 96 overs. Jas Singh took a wicket with his third ball of the session having Hutton (5) caught behind, 331 for 8 in the 101st over. Bhuiyan came on at Pavilion End and with his third ball had James (36 off 90 balls, 4x4) caught at second slip by Leaning, 349 for 9 in the 106th over. Fletcher squirted a single off Jas Singh to square leg to bring up the 350 and a rare third batting point for Notts, Paterson fell next ball skying Jas Singh to Arshdeep Singh who took the catch running left from mid-on. Fletcher was stranded on 11 not out. Notts 350 all out off 107 overs. The erratic but promising 20-year-old seamer Jas Singh finished with figures Jas Singh 4 for 87.

Kent batted for 5 overs before lunch with Hutton (Radcliffe Road End) and Fletcher taking the new ball. From the onset, Fletcher was clearly having problems with his ankle, grimacing after each delivery. Kent 8 for 0 at the interval with Hampshire loanee Albert on 7 and Compton on 0.

The opening bowlers remained on after lunch. In the 13th over, Hutton had Compton plumb leg before for 14, 27 for 1. Hutton’s 46th wicket of a superb campaign, a personal seasonal best. Paterson came on for the 14th over and James for the 17th over. The two loanees Geddes and Albert looked in little trouble on a wicket that had flattened out somewhat since the first morning. In a double bowling change Mullaney and the clearly unfit Fletcher returned for the 30th and 31st overs respectively . In his second over of his spell from the Radcliffe Road End Fletcher had Albert (37) was caught by Harrison at second slip, 86 for 2 in the 33rd over. The second wicket stand between the two novices adding 59 in 20 overs. Fletcher was limping very badly and after the second ball of his 10th over left the field with Hutton finishing his over. Fletcher had seen Notts to the third batting point and proved typically metronomic although bowling at a pace similar to Steven Mullaney. He had figures of 9.2-5-7-1 but his fitness for the rest of the season now in severe doubt. The decision to play him in such circumstances appeared to be wrong and foolhardy. Hutton and Mullaney remained on until tea but the sky was now dark and the floodlights on. The players went off for tea at 16:16 with Kent 102 for 2 off 41 overs (Geddes 36 and Leaning 10) with 35 overs to bowl.

The rain then arrived during the break, 90 minutes earlier than forecasted and set in. Play being abandoned for the day at 17:30. The completely decimated Kent will be far the happier of the two counties at the half-way point of proceedings. The Notts bowlers struggling to get any life out of the wicket. Tomorrow is expected to be humid which hopefully will be of benefit to kingpins Hutton and Paterson.

The shenanigans with Fletcher though was talking point of the day amongst the members. MAG

Day 1

NOTTS EDGE THE DAY THANKS TO SLATER AND MOORES RUNS

Kent were without Bell-Drummond, Billings, Cox, Denly, Hogan, Qadri and Stewart. They were further handicapped with Aussie overseas signing Wes Agar having to return home to play for the national “A” team. Because of the number of absentees, White-ball specialist Alex Blake had to registered on an emergency 4-day contract and they had to also sign two loanees to make their debut Ben Geddes from Surrey and Toby Albert from Hampshire. Notts meanwhile brought back veterans Mullaney and Fletcher into the Eleven in place of Montgomery and Pettman. Fletcher has not played any championship cricket since breaking down at Northampton on the 11th May on suffered a reaction when returning for the Blast quarter-final at Somerset in early July. His selection must be filed under the category of RISKY.

Kent won the toss and elected to bowl on what turned out to be a slow pitch where batsmen had at times difficulty in timing the ball. Matt Quinn (Radcliffe Road End) and Arshdeep Singh opened the bowling and they turned out to be the best two bowlers in a pretty threadbare attack, Slater and Hameed made a slow and steady start with Notts 14 for 0 after 10 overs. Quinn was replaced by Jas Singh for the 11th over. Quinn changed ends for the 14th over. A cover driven boundary by Slater off Jas Singh brought up the Notts 50 in the 17th over. Joey Evison replaced Jas Singh for the 19th over and with his fourth delivery had Hameed leg before for 18, 65 for 1. Fortune had favoured Evison on his return to Trent Bridge with the full pitch delivery appearing to be drifting down past the leg stump. A three for Slater off Quinn saw him to 50 off 70 balls. Bhuiyan came on for the 22nd over. A two for Slater off Evison brought up the Notts 100 in the 25th over. Notts were 116 for 1 off 29 overs at lunch with Slater on 78 and Young on 16.

Notts lost their way somewhat after lunch. In the 33rd over, left arm seamer Arshdeep Singh bowling from the Radcliffe Road End) got a ball to lift and move away and it was too good for Young (21) who edged it to keeper Finch, 123 for 2. The second wicket had added 58 in 14 overs. Jas Singh replaced Bhuiyan from the Pavilion End with Notts reaching 150 in his comeback over, the 40th of the innings. Quinn returned for the 43rd over and in his second over of his new spell had Clarke leg before for 22, 159 for 3. A straight driven three for Slater off Jas Singh saw him to three figures off 150 balls. His first ton since his career best 225 not out at Chester-le-Street 15 months before. In his following over, the expensive Jas Singh removed Slater (100 off 155 balls, 15x4) who feathered him to Finch behind the stumps, 169 for 4 in the 48th over. Slater moving his feet well had looked solid throughout his fine innings. With the floodlights now on Evison came on for the 52nd over, this time from the Pavilion End. Rain stopped play at 15:27 with Notts 190 for 4 off 54 overs with Mullaney on 7 and Moores on 17. Tea was immediately taken.

Play recommenced at 17:13 with 15 overs lost in the day. A four through point by Mullaney off Evison took Notts to 200 in the 58th over. Mullaney was dropped by Compton at first slip when on 16, Arshdeep Singh the bowler, an absolute sitter, Compton normally should a reliable slipper. Jas Singh returned for the 74th over with Moores hitting him through point to reach his 50 off 77 balls. The bowler put Moores down the following ball a difficult caught and bowled chance when Moores had 52. The following ball saw Moores pulling him to the square leg boundary as Notts reached 250. Off the last delivery of the eventful over, Mullaney was lbw for a somewhat scratchy 28, 252 for 5.. the fifth partnership was worth 83 in 26 overs Skipper Jack Leaning finally brought himself on for the 77th over he bowled a three over spell with him deciding to save the taking of the new ball to first thing tomorrow. Yet another late finish saw the close at 18:57 with Notts on 275 for 5 off 81 overs with the in-form Moores on 72 and James on 8.

Fingers crossed that Notts do not collapse once more against the new ball. The depleted Kent team had battled hard all day. Notts were heavily indebted to left handers Slater and Moores. Too many Notts batters failing to capitalise after making a start. MAG

Ben Slater
Haseeb Hameed
Will Young
Joe Clarke
Matt Montgomery
Steven Mullaney
Tom Moores
Lyndon James
Calvin Harrison
Brett Hutton
Luke Fletcher
Dane Paterson
Toby Pettman

13 names, but could you trust all of those names to go the distance?

Kent have a few injury issues of their own and have gone to the loan market to complete their squad.

This one we definitely cannot afford to lose.

To avoid being beaten, we will need to bat better.

To actually win, we will have to bowl and bat better. 

Speculation would have it that Steven Mullaney will return at the expense of M&M, one out of form batsman in for another out of form batsman being left out.

Kent CCC

Kent return to the site of their 2022 One-Day Cup triumph as they face Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in the LV= Insurance County Championship.

The Spitfires still sit 11 points better-off than Middlesex & in eighth position of Division One, after two wins & two draws already this season, despite defeat last time out against Essex at Chelmsford.

Ben Compton is currently Kent’s top Championship run-scorer so far this season – his 587 runs have come in ten matches & has been ably backed up by Daniel Bell-Drummond (490), Joey Evison (479) & Tawanda Muyeye (409).

Both Hamid Qadri & Matt Quinn have 15 wickets apiece in Division One, with Evison taking 14.