Match Preview: Kent v Yorkshire 26 – 29 April
Wednesday 25th April 2012
Kent v Yorkshire
LV= County Championship Division Two
St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury
26 – 29 April 2012
An unbeaten Kent side will hope to dodge the April showers this week and continue their impressive start to the season when they welcome Yorkshire to the St Lawrence Ground.
The two sides have already met this season in the LV= County Championship, when rain ensured the Tykes were able to hold out for a draw at Headingley in the first round of fixtures, after Kent had dominated proceedings.
Taking first use of the wicket, a new-look Kent amassed 537 for nine in their first innings. Captain Rob Key (97) and loan signing Scott Newman (64) posted 141 for the opening wicket before a stunning maiden century from number nine Matt Coles took the visitors to a daunting total. The young all-rounder smashed three sixes in his 111-ball stay while adding a Club record 153 for the ninth wicket with another player making his first appearance, seamer Mark Davies (58).
With Key’s men well on top, the hosts battled hard in their first innings with Jonny Bairstow striking 107, but the new-ball pairing of Davies and Charlie Shreck shared seven wickets to ensure the Tykes fell short of the follow-on target. Starting their second innings 173 runs behind, Yorkshire were chasing the game but rain enabled them to bat out the final day – finishing on 146 for four.
The St Lawrence Ground last hosted championship cricket between the two sides in April 2010 when the division one fixture ended in a draw. Kent batted first and 92 from Darren Stevens led them to a competitive 317 all-out; a five wicket haul from England paceman Tim Bresnan kept Yorkshire intact. In reply, four wickets from Azhar Mahmood, the reigning player of the year, helped reduce the visitors to 120 for six but Bairstow (70) and Adil Rashid (59) dug in to take Yorkshire up to 283.
The runs continued to flow in Kent’s second innings with James Hockley (82) and James Tredwell (72*) adding 113 for the seventh wicket as captain Key declared on 357 for eight. This left Yorkshire facing a daunting victory target of 392 (off 92 overs). The total looked almost impossible but fifties from Adam Lyth, Joe Sayers, Bresnan and Anthony McGrath kept the game alive before a draw was called at 300 for five on a docile St Lawrence wicket. Off-spinner Tredwell returned 3-69 as Kent toiled on the final day.
Both counties come into this game on the back of draws, after a rain ravaged third round of championship fixtures. Kent found themselves under pressure for the first time this season when Gloucestershire dominated proceedings at Canterbury last week. Despite bowler friendly conditions, and impressive seam bowling from Coles and Davies (four wickets apiece), the visitors showed lower-order resistance to reach 255 all-out thanks to half-centuries from the impressive Will Gidman and Ed Young. In response Jimmy Adams’ side struggled to 150 all-out as Gidman showed his all-round capabilities – claiming five wickets. Stevens made a sprightly fifty for Kent. With rain continuing to fall, play remained truncated as the side from the west country declared on 257-7 in their second innings – setting an unlikely last day victory target of 363. Rain again dominated proceedings as Key made an unbeaten 32 with Kent finishing on 90 for two to ensure a share of the spoils.
Yorkshire were also thwarted by the weather as they drew with Essex at Headingley last week. Australian Phil Jacques shone brightest in their first innings as his first knock of the season – 126 – led the hosts to 246. Essex struggled in reply, with seamer Steven Patterson reducing them to 42 for five but England batsman Ravi Bopara showed his class, scoring 117, in their total of 199. Ryan Sidebottom mopped up the tail – returning 5-30. An opening stand of 106 between Joe Root (67) and Joe Sayers (45) was the highlight of Yorkshire’s second effort, 214-4, but rain dashed any hopes of forcing a win as Essex closed on 26 for two; a draw the inevitable outcome.
Kent currently lie second in LV= CC division two with 39 points from their three games; Yorkshire are seventh with 16 points from their two outings.
Team news
Kent welcome back young stars Adam Ball and Daniel Bell-Drummond from England U19 duty, and they, along with Sam Northeast who scored heavily for the second XI last week, will be looking to force their way into first-team reckoning. Azhar Mahmood is unavailable due to IPL commitments with the Kings XI Punjab and Ashley Shaw continues his recovery, following shin surgery.
Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie has spoken of the need to boost his side’s bowling resources and the county are close to concluding a deal for Australian left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc. However the move can only be completed once he finishes his international commitments in the Carribean, so he won’t be available for this match. This means Steven Patterson should keep his place in the side, having replaced Iain Wardlaw in the last match. All-rounder Richard Pyrah is sidelined with a broken hand, suffered against Kent in the reverse fixture in Leeds.
** Please note – Simon Langton Girls' School Car Park will be closed tomorrow and possibly for the duration of this match. Please find details of parking arrangements below. **
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Ground Information:
Tickets:
Tickets for this match are available both online (click here) and at the gate. If you purchase tickets online before 9am on each of the day's play, they will be cheaper than those purchased at the gate. Please see ticket prices below.
Adults: £10 in advance, £15 on the gate (Ground Only)
£15 in advance, £20 on the gate (Frank Woolley Stand)
Juniors (U 16): £5 in advance, £8 on the gate
Tickets can also be purchased from the Kent Cricket Shop.
Kent Cricket Retail Shop:
The Kent Cricket Shop will be open from 9am and has the new range of training kit available to purchase. There will also be a few bargains to be had within the Sale section.
The 2012 Kent Cricket Annual is now in stock for you to buy, priced £10 for non-members. Members please go to the Kent Cricket Shop to collect your Annual (you may be guided to the Meeting Room in the Cowdrey Conference Centre to pick this up).
Car Parking:
** Parking update 25/04/12 – Simon Langton Girls' School Car Park will be closed on Thursday 26th April, and possibly for the duration of this match due to heavy rain. Please makeyour way to the Nackington Road entrance to the St Lawrence Ground, where we will honour Simon Langton Car Park prices and entry conditions. As many cars as possible will be parked on site, with the Dover Road Park and Ride an alternative option. **
Standard car parking arrangements usually in place at the St Lawrence Ground:
St Lawrence car park pass holders may park on site at the St Lawrence Ground at no additional cost.
Life Members can park at the St Lawrence free of charge, but space is not guaranteed.
Some additional parking will be available on site on a first come first served basis priced at £15.
Anyone with a season long parking pass for Simon Langton Girls School may park at the St Lawrence Ground at a reduced cost of £7 subject to available space.
All cars entering the St Lawrence Ground must do so from the Nackington Road entrance due to on-going construction work on the administration building and for the safety of customers using the Sainsbury’s convenience store.
Food and Beverage:
The Cornwallis Room, located in the Cowdrey Conference Centre is open to both members and non-members, serving a range of food and drink from 9am. The Carvery will be served from 12pm, which is available on a first come first serve basis.
Jonesy's Kitchen, located on the ground floor of the Les Ames Boxes is also open from 9am, serving a range of hot and cold snacks throughout the day and hot meals during the lunch interval. To book a table please telehone Carol on 07887 974304 or email littlenashpartnership@hotmail.co.uk.