Second XI lose Trophy opener at Radlett
A young second XI lost their Trophy opener to Middlesex by 182 runs at Radlett.
Alex Blake won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first and a 186-run second-wicket stand by Hong Kong opener Ansy Rath (123) and George Scott (153*) was the difference between the sides.
The Kent attack fought back, led by Charlie Hartley (3/63) with wickets for Hugh Bernard, Imran Qayyum and Calum Haggett.
In reply, Zak Crawley and Calum Haggett put on 90 for the opening wicket but fell in successive Ravi Patel overs chasing a rising required run rate.
The spin of Patel and Nathan Sowter prospered, each claiming three wickets each with the aging ball.
Triallist Gareth Harte and Academy wicketkeeper Oliver Robinson each scored 33 before falling to the leg-spin of the Australian-born Sowter.
Coach Min Patel was able to take some positives from the game.
The former Kent and England spinner said: “It was good to see Charlie Hartley back bowling well. He took 3 for 63 in difficult circumstances which was a good effort. There was also an excellent opening partnership of 90 between Zak Crawley and Calum Haggett who both batted well.
“We let them score 50 off the first five overs and conceded 12 no balls which is unacceptable in one day cricket. We may have been able to chase down 300 but we gave them too many runs. Let’s hope the players learn from it.”
The two sides meet again in a three-day Championship match at Radlett starting on Tuesday, with Kent set to bring in Adam Ball, Matt Hunn and MCC Young Cricketer and former Essex age-group wicketkeeper-batsman Saf Imtiaz.