Kent lose 50-over warm-up against New Zealand A

Kent lost a 50-over warm-up for Friday’s crunch cup quarter-final against a strong New Zealand A side at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.

Fresh from winning a triangular one-day series against England Lions and Sri Lanka A, the tourists included nine full internationals in their starting eleven.

New Zealand A batted first after Rob Key won the toss and opted to field first.

David Griffiths opened the bowling and dismissed Michael Bracewell, caught behind by Sam Billings.

Hamish Rutherford (56) and Dean Brownlie (112) put on 124 for the second wicket before Rutherford fell to Ben Harmison, caught by Alex Blake.

Darren Stevens continued his fine form with the ball, claiming Colin de Grandhomme caught behind by Sam Billings before Daryl Mitchell was caught by Harmison to leave the tourists on 149-4.

Skipper BJ Watling (18) put on 49 for the fifth wicket as Dean Brownlie reached three figures and the New Zealanders lost five wickets for 41 runs.

Griffiths dismissed Todd Astle and Brownlie before Adam Riley removed Bracewell who holed out to Daniel Bell-Drummond on the boundary.

Ben Harmison claimed the final wicket, bowling tailender Mark Henry for a duck before lunch, setting the hosts a target of 240 to win.

Kent’s openers put on 33 with skipper Rob Key making 19 before being trapped LBW by Doug Bracewell.

The New Zealand quartet of Bracewell, Matt Henry, Hamish Bennett and Mark Craig shared nine wickets as the tourists won by 172 runs.