Match Reports: Kent Second XI vs. Hampshire Second XI
A brilliant all-round team performance by Kent’s Second XI saw them thrash Hampshire Seconds by 10 wickets, in the first of their double-header T20 Southern Group matches, at The County Ground, Beckenham.
Some excellent bowling and fielding limited the Hampshire innings to 169 for 9 from their 20 overs, and the home side went on to win the match in style, with an exciting unbroken opening partnership between Marcus O’Riordan and Tawanda Muyeye, as they reached the winning total 173 for 0 in 16.4 overs.
The opening batters kept apace with each other throughout the onslaught on the Hampshire bowling, and were on almost identical scores, O’Riordan 85 not out, with four boundaries and four sixes, and Muyeye 84 not out, 11 fours and one six.
Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens took two wickets, with his first two deliveries, in the Hampshire innings, 3 for 24 in his four overs, and young fast bowler Jas Singh, 3 for 34. O’Riordan, who captained the Kent side took three excellent catches in the deep while fielding. Toby Albert, 62, top scored for Hampshire, his innings including two sixes and six boundaries.
The second match in the double-header saw a Hampshire victory by four wickets (D\L method) after two hours play was lost after a heavy rain downpour had saturated the ground. Kent Seconds were 74 for 6 from 15.2 overs when rain stopped play, the score on which their innings ended, and when play resumed Hampshire Seconds were set 66 runs to win off 12 overs.
The visitors got over the winning line with five deliveries to spare, 66 for 6, Tom Cheater 24 not out, Max Luckett, who recently made his Kent first team debut, 2 for 6.
In the Kent innings, trialist Jack Nightingale, who previously played for Loughborough University and Leicestershire’s Second team was 33 not out.
Darren Stevens, who opened the batting retired after scoring two runs when he was hit on the shoulder from a fast rising delivery.
Kent Seconds are in T20 action again on Friday, May 27, when they play Surrey Second X1 at New Malden, and the return fixture is at The County Ground, Beckenham, on Sunday, May 29 at 13:00. Entry is free.
By Peter Burrowes
Next Home Match
Kent Spitfires take on Essex Eagles in the Battle of the Bridge as they contest the second tie of this season’s Mike Denness Shield in the Vitality Blast
Buy tickets now
