Match Report: Kent 60+ vs. Australia 60+
Kent 60+ faced the Australian 60+ Test side at Gravesend Cricket Club’s Bat & Ball Ground.
Whilst Kent put up an admirable performance, the Aussies put in an all round professional performance ahead of their first of five ODI “Grey Ashes” Test matches, starting on Wednesday 12 July.
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West end stars return to The Spitfire Ground in July!
Outdoor concerts return to The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence for a bumper weekend of entertainment on 21 and 22 July 2023, with two stunning tribute acts, featuring stars of London’s West End.
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At the end of a very hot, sunny day, Australia had put on 270 for 3 off their allotted 45 overs, with Kent finishing on 198 for 7.
Before the game Aussie Team Manager, Trevor Saker, had commented that: “Kent would be the toughest of our warm up matches” so Kent knew the Aussies would be taking this game seriously, particularly after watching the visitors’ vigorous 20 minute warm up programme.
It is interesting to note that Trevor’s brother Bill, was the number three bat and that their younger brother, David Saker, was fortuitously on bowling coaching duties with the England Test Team at Headingley!
With the temperature touching 30°C and knowledge that Gravesend is an excellent batting track, the Aussies were pleased to win the toss and elected to bat.
However, when Kent opening bowler, Terry Edwards, bowled their opening bat second ball they may have thought they had made the wrong decision.
But true to form, Australia ‘dug in’ and steadily began to accumulate runs. There were notable contributions from B. Saker, P. Judd, G. Richardson and Graham Pavey, who reached his 50 not out in 45 balls.
A feature of the Aussie game was their excellent running between the wickets, belying the fact that these were 60+ players. At the end of their innings Australia were 270 for 3 off their 45 overs.
With Gravesend a regular venue for Kent, they knew 6 an over was an achievable target, so openers Butterworth and Trevatt began steadily, reaching 69 off 18 overs, before Butterworth was stumped for 23.
At this point the run rate was neck and neck with Australia but the Aussie bowling, fielding and field placing made scoring difficult.
When, following the departure of Nicholls, Jim Phillips came to the crease Kent were 83 for 3. With the loss of Trevatt on 42, Captain, Chris Tarrant joined Phillips with the total at 113 for 4.
The Aussies continued to keep a tight grip on the run rate and whilst there were some excellent strokes from both players, the Aussie fielding met the challenge.
When Phillips succumbed to an excellent catch at cover point he had scored 44 off 56 balls leaving Kent on 146 for 5 with 9 overs left. Tarrant, playing a Captain’s role, continued to work the ball with Burton and then Towe, finishing on 22 not out. But at the end of their 45 overs Kent had finished on 198 for 7, leaving the Australians comfortable victors.
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After the game both sides, families and supporters enjoyed the hospitality of Gravesend CC including an excellent curry dinner and customary imbibing of the golden nectar. Both Captains said how much they had enjoyed the competitive approach of both sides and praised the quality of the Gravesend CC ground.
Player of the Match awards were presented to Australia’s Graham Pavey and Kent’s Jim Phillips.
Kent now hope to even things up when their 70+ side play the Australian 70+ XI at the The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury on Sunday 30 July.
By David Piper
The One-Day Cup returns in the school Summer Holidays!
The Kent Spitfires will defend their title at home matches both in Canterbury & Beckenham:
