Gidman & Hunn impress in friendly

Will Gidman hit an unbeaten half-century and Matt Hunn took six wickets as Kent drew a rain-affected friendly at The County Ground, Beckenham.

Hunn grabbed a five-wicket haul as the visitors posted 269 in the first innings with two wickets each for Charlie Hartley and academy scholar Jan Gray.

In reply, the hosts were bundled out for 123 with triallists William O’Donnell and Kashif Ali shared 68 for the opening wicket.

Hartley, Hunn, new signing Grant Stewart and fit-again Ivan Thomas struck once each as Essex set Kent a target of 400 to chase on the fourth and final day before rain intervened.

Ali struck 81 in a century stand with Will Gidman (73*) before the latter added an unbeaten 50 partnership with Alex Blake (37*) before the captains shook hands.

The second XI conclude their season as a combined Northants and Kent XI take on Scotland A at Northampton in a three-day friendly starting on Tuesday 12 September.