Claydon, Stevens & Kumar shine in T20s
Mitch Claydon took a match-winning spell and academy scholar Harsh Kumar hit a half-century as honours were even in the Second XI T20 double-header against Unicorns at Folkestone.
Darren Stevens hit a half-century off 42 balls as Kent fell three runs short chasing 160 before Claydon’s took 3/9 in four overs to help dismiss the visitors for 153 to record a 13-run win.
In the first match, Unicorns posted 159 with Berkshire batsman Waqas Hussain top-scoring with an unbeaten 75 off 53 balls.
Folkestone paceman Jarred Lysaught was the pick of the Kent attack with 2/21 from four overs and Claydon claiming 1/26.
In reply, all-rounder Stevens hit seven fours and two sixes in an innings of 65 off 56 balls.
Academy scholar Jordan Cox scored 36 off 23 balls and Grant Stewart’s cameo of 35 off 25 did their best to get Kent home but regular wickets and new batsman failed to keep up with the required rate, falling three runs short.
In the second match, Kent won the toss and opted to bat first with academy opener Kumar hitting five fours and two sixes as the lynchpin with 52 off 48 balls.
The batsmen scored largely at a run-a-ball except Stevens who smashed a four, six and a four before holing out for 14 off four deliveries to help Kent post 166.
Claydon struck in his opening over and returned to claim a run-out and three more victims with off-spinner Adam Riley (3/35 off four overs) starring in the middle overs.
Scholar Kashif Ali claimed a wicket with his leg spin and Lysaught picked up two in an expensive second spell as