Walker gets ‘fantastic’ reaction from his team

Coach Matt Walker wanted a reaction from his side following the 10-wicket loss to Leicestershire at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence last month – he certainly got it.

Kent moved up to second in the Specsavers County Championship after a stunning eight-wicket win inside three days at Leicester.

Not surprisingly, Walker was delighted with the win.

He said: “You can’t afford too many losses if you’re going to get promoted, one, maybe two, and it’s going to be a tight finish in Division Two.

“We were so disappointed with the way we played against Leicestershire at Canterbury, we spoke about it, we wanted a response and we got one, the reaction was fantastic.

“It was a real scrap for most of the game, it was tough batting, and to win the way we did was a great effort. Conditions definitely improved, but Heino Kuhn and Sean Dickson played very, very well – it was a brilliant partnership, they got in and just kept going and going, they took responsibility and didn’t leave it to anyone else and that’s what you need sometimes.

“It’s something all the batters can learn from  – get through the tough part, keep going, and then it does get easier.

“They showed a really clear mindset and complemented each other very well, and it made for great watching for us on the balcony.”