Second XI defeated at The Spitfire Ground
A depleted Kent Second XI lost by nine wickets in their Championship match against Northamptonshire at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, after three of the home team were withdrawn on the final day of the game.
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Tawanda Muyeye, Marcus O’Riordan and Nathan Gilchrist were all included in Kent’s Men’s First XI squad for their LV= Insurance County Championship match with Yorkshire at Emerald Headingley, after the county found themselves with five bowlers side-lined by injury.
Requiring 257 to win in 85 overs, Northamptonshire raced to victory in just 46.5 overs against an inexperienced Kent bowling attack, thanks to two century stands, and a 100 not out from their wicket keeper Harry Gouldstone ,which included 20 boundaries in their 259 for 1. Kent Academy scholar Jas Singh took the only wicket to fall and finished with figures of 1 for 54.
The match was evenly contested until Northamptonshire’s victory charge with both sides ending their first innings total on the same score 335.
Kent enjoyed a double century opening partnership between former Sussex batsman Harry Finch, 119 with 22 fours, and youngster Joe Gordon, previously with the Kent Academy, who hit 86 with 14 boundaries. Nathan Gilchrist chipped in with 65, including seven fours and three sixes.
Jack Laraman, a former Kent Second XI player, took 5 for 61 for the visitors.
In the Northants first innings Singh took 3 for 52 and Hamid Qadri 3 for 92. In their second innings, Kent were bowled out for 256 with wicket keeper Sam Smith, who plays for Sandwich in the Kent League scoring 76 with nine fours and three sixes.
Netherlands international Peter van Meekeran took 5 for 51 for the visitors.
The Second XI do not have another Second XI Championship match until the end of June, with the T20 competition getting under way later this month.
Kent open their campaign in the South Group with a T20 match against Essex at Garon Park, Southend, on Thursday May 27, with a 15:00 start. Both sides will also play each other in a warm-up friendly fixture on the morning of the same day.
By Peter Burrowes
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