CB40: Denly stars in win but Kent fail to qualify

Durham Dynamos v Kent Spitfires
Clydesdale Bank 40 – Group C
Saturday, 4 September 2010
Emirates ICG

Kent won by 31 runs

Kent innings: 144 all out, 39.1 overs
Denly 71, Muchall 22, Tredwell 10
Killeen 3-24, Rushworth 3-26, Breese 2-13

Durham innings: 113 all out, 33.3 overs
B Harmison 34, Stoneman 18, Breese 13
Tredwell 4-20, Bandara 2-23, van Jaarsveld 1-1

Opening bat Joe Denly (pictured) and off-spinner James Tredwell were the stars of the day for the Kent Spitfires as Rob Key’s men finished their CB40 campaign on a high with a 31 run victory over the Durham Dynamos at the Emirates ICG.

On a tough day for batting, Denly stuck it out to make 71, off 121 balls, to get the visitors up to a modest 144 all out. However, that total proved to be far too many for the home side as Tredwell (4-20) twirled his way through the Durham card as Kent ended their participation in this competition on a high.

Batting first, the Spitfires were in trouble before they knew it as Key (0), Martin van Jaarsveld (1), Geraint Jones (0), Darren Stevens (6) and Sam Northeast (9) all failed to make a contribution as they slumped to 59 for five inside twenty overs. Denly was patient though and he batted through to the 34th over before he was trapped in front by Gareth Breese. The only other meaningful innings came from former MCC Young Cricketer Paul Muchall. His 22 saw Kent through to an under-par 144. Neil Killeen and Chris Rushworth were the main tormentors for the Dynamos, bagging three wickets apiece.

With victory looking unlikely at the half-way stage, the Spitfires rallied to produce a fine bowling display as Durham crumbled in-front of their own fans. 17 year-old Adam Ball, making his first-team debut, was handed the new-ball and he instantly justified the decision as he bowled Phil Mustard with the fifth ball of the innings for no score. After that the home side never recovered. Spin twins Tredwell and Sri Lankan Malinga Bandara (2-23) proved to be too wily for the Dynamos batting line up and Ben Harmison was the only home batter to get going with 34. van Jaarsveld finished off proceedings when he had Killeen caught by Northeast for six.

The Spitfires finished second in group c of the CB40 competition, just missing out on a semi-final berth by two points.