MATCH RESULT – KENT WIN BY 101 RUNS
Kent – 316 all out & 300 all out
Middlesex – 190 all out & 325 all out
Having closed on 266- 6 on day three, Middlesex would have felt they had a chance of chasing down the final 160 runs required to beat Kent on the final day.
However Kent got off to the perfect start, dismissing Cracknell on 59 without the hosts adding to their overnight total.
Things did not get much better for Middlesex, and soon afterwards Kent had their second of the day and eighth in total with the score on 269-8. They soon took their ninth too, with Middlesex still needing 148 to win.
Cullen and Bamber provided some resistance, putting on a final wicket partnership of 47 before Middlesex were finally bowled out for 325, 101 runs short of Kent’s total.
CLOSE OF PLAY - DAY THREE
Kent 300 all out
Middlesex 266-6
Kent looked in a strong position at the start of day three, and a solid performance with the bat early on would have ensured victory for the visitors.
However, Middlesex bowled well from the outset, taking wickets quickly and regularly, giving the hosts a sign of hope.
2 wickets in 2 deliveries Cullen reduced Kent to 277-7, and Kent were only able to add another 23 runs afterwards, with Riley the remaining batsmen on 34 not out.
Kent finished on 300 all out, with Cullen the leading Middlesex bowler with figures of 4-58. Middlesex therefore required 426 to win, with a day and a half left to play.
The hosts got off to the perfect start, and a strong opening partnership between Lace and Carter almost took Middlesex to 100 not out before the first wicket fell.
Tom Lace continued the positive start, and by the time he finally fell for 81 Middlesex had taken the total required down to 280 with 8 wickets remaining.
Kent fought back however, and were able to take another 3 wickets in the next 14 overs to put the pressure firmly on Middlesex.
One more wicket fell before the close of play, at which point Middlesex were struggling again on 229-6.
Cracknell and Cullen stabilised proceedings until the close of play, and Cracknell was able to celebrate his half-century shortly before the close.
Middlesex finished on 266-6, needing another 160 runs to beat Kent in the final day.
CLOSE OF PLAY – DAY TWO
Middlesex 190 all out
Kent 209-4
Middlesex started off on day two without loss, but this was not the case for long, and by the end of the 5th over of the day Kent had their breakthrough.
Kent were on the front foot early on, and were able to capitalise another 4 times for just 39 runs, leaving Middlesex in trouble on 79-5.
The hosts struggled to maintain any partnerships, and despite a hard fought 44 from Robbie White, Middlesex never looked likely to get close to Kent’s first innings total of 316.
Kent continued to take wickets at regular intervals, and Middlesex found themselves on 130-8 by the end of the 42nd over.
Bamber and Cullen mounted some resistance, putting on a 52 run partnership before Bamber went for 27.
Kent wrapped up the Middlesex tail quickly after this, and the hosts were reduced to 190 all out, giving Kent a lead of 126 runs going into their second innings.
In response, Kent put the Middlesex bowlers to the sword in the opening 10 overs, scoring at 6 an over.
Cullen fought back however, taking 2 wickets in consecutive deliveries to reduce Kent to 66-2.
However, two strong partnerships from this point on seemed to take the game away from Middlesex, as Kent were able to build to an overnight score of 209-4, and a lead of 335 runs.
CLOSE OF PLAY – DAY ONE
Kent 316 all out
Middlesex 31-0
On a sunny day in Southgate, Kent decided to bat after winning the toss.
The visitors got off to a steady start with Kumar and Came at the crease, and passed the 50 partnership in the 18th over.
However, Cullen struck at the end of this over, dismissing Came for 24.
Kent continued to bat well, until two quick wickets saw to the end of Kumar and Stevens for just 2 runs, leaving them on 92-3.
Middlesex were able to capitalize further still, taking a further two wickets in the next 7 overs to leave Kent struggling on 126-5.
However, the partnership between Podmore and Gidman helped to stabilize the visitor’s innings, taking them past 200 with no further losses.
Gidman batted defensively while Podmore slotted away several boundaries, and despite Gidman eventually going with the score at 208-6, Podmore continued to force the issue.
Podmore was able to reach his century, but was soon after finally dismissed LBW at the hands of Walallawita.
Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals from that point onwards, and Middlesex were able to wrap up Kent’s innings for 316.
Cullen and Walallawita finished with figures of 3-67 and 3-86 respectively, while Rayner and Murtagh both took two each.
Middlesex batted for the final 9 overs of the day without loss, finishing on 31-0, trailing Kent by 285 going in the day two.
Middlesex 2nd XI
Kent
