Essex require 22 to win as Kent toil on day two
Wednesday 10th September 2014
Essex all but secured victory as the hosts bowled out Kent for 151 on day two.
Resuming on 97 for four, Essex skipper James Foster hit a century as he added 63 for the fifth wicket with Jesse Ryder.
The New Zealander struck ten boundaries and a six in a brisk 58 before he was caught behind by Sam Billings off Mitchell Claydon, who finished with four wickets for 76 runs in 23 overs.
Former England wicketkeeper Foster added 56 with Kishen Velani as they passed Kent's total before Matt Hunn dismissed the 20-year-old, caught by James Tredwell for 29.
The captain eventually departed after Claydon trapped him LBW before tea for 108 – his first century of the campaign.
Graham Napier's quickfire 62 off 102 balls included ten fours as Essex built up a 130-run lead before Claydon struck again, claiming him caught by Daniel Bell-Drummond.
All-rounder Darren Stevens claimed a five-wicket haul as David Masters and Monty Panesar departed for ducks before an early tea was taken.
After the interval, Essex reinforced their advantage with early wickets to gain control of the clash and with it, edge closer to winning the first MIke Denness Challenge Shield, in honour of the former Kent and Essex cricketer.
Bell-Drummond was out LBW to Jesse Ryder and Ben Harmison followed as he was caught behind by Foster off Masters for 2, leaving the visitors on seven for two.
Robert Key (28) and Brendan Nash (34) provided an hour's resistance as Kent recovered to 71-2 before Graham Napier and Monty Panesar ripped through the middle order.
Napier, who finished with 4 for 28 off 9.2 overs, bowled Rob Key and claimed the scalp of Sam Billings for a second-ball duck, caught by Panesar as Kent lost four wickets for eight runs.
Panesar then dismissed Stevens, caught Ryder before spinners James Tredwell (29 off 65) and Adam Riley (21 off 35) dbattled back, adding 45 in nine overs, before both fell before the close.
Kent were all out at stumps for 151 off 43.2 overs, setting Essex a nominal 22 target to win in two days.
Darren Stevens, whose five-wicket haul saw him pass 50 wickets for the season, said: "That's a huge thing for me personally, it's the first time I've achieved it but I've probably never bowled 400 overs either.
"But the bigger picture is that we are in a poor position. Bowled out for not very many in the second innings and a 22 overall lead – it's just not good enough."