Farbrace disappointed as Kentís victory hopes are dashed by rain

Clydesdale Bank 40
Nottinghamshire v Kent
08 May 2010
Trent Bridge
No result – one point each

Nottinghamshire won the toss and decided to field

Kent Innings
78 for 2 (6.1 overs)
Key 44, Denly 28
Mullaney 2 for 4

Kent were denied the chance to claim their first win in the CB40 as heavy rain forced the abandonment of their match with Nottinghamshire.

Persistent rain meant that play couldn“t get underway until 6pm, when valiant efforts by the Trent Bridge ground staff allowed a 10-over thrash to commence.

Home skipper Chris Read opted to field after winning the toss but the two Kent openers, Joe Denly and Rob Key, got the team off to a fine start. They smashed 73 runs off the first five overs to put the visitors firmly in charge, only for more rain to intervene just seven balls later.

In the play possible, Key hit 44 off just 18 balls, with three sixes and five fours, while Denly made 28 from 14 deliveries.

After taking a point each, Notts now have three points from their opening three matches, while Kent have two points having seen two of their three fixtures lost to the weather.

Commenting on the game, team director Paul Farbrace (pictured) said: “We played extremely well and it was important to go out and perform after the disappointments of the Warwickshire game.

“I was keen to get back out there and do well. There was huge disappointment at the close of play yesterday, after we got ourselves into a very good position. Today was good again, it“s just a shame the rain came.

“Still, there is nothing you can do about the weather. We knew we would be off with one more shower and sadly it came along. There were plenty of positives. Joe batted well and Keysy looked magnificent.”

Kent are back in action again on Monday, when they start a four-day LV= County Championship match against Essex at Chelmsford and Farbrace is fully aware how tough the playing schedule is for his players: “It is very hard; both in terms of practice and travel. As mentioned, we finished the (Warwickshire) game deflated, after defeat, then jumped straight on a bus and travelled to Notts.

“We were desperate to play here but it just kept raining. We got the opportunity to go into the indoor school and practice. Everyone got involved and we are looking better as a team. We are not far away from playing good cricket but I realise there are fine lines between success and failure.”