Match Report: Kent Second XI vs. South Asian Cricket Academy
After a very competitive match, with a number of excellent personal performances, Kent Second XI beat the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA), by eight wickets, on the third day of a scheduled four day fixture, at the lovely surroundings of the Nevill Ground, Tunbridge Wells, with the county back playing at this popular venue.
Kent Spitfires will face Hampshire Hawks in a T20 showdown at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence – under the lights on a Friday night:
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Based in Birmingham, the SACA are playing a series of matches, in all formats of the game, against county Second teams, throughout the season, and will face Kent Seconds again, this time in a 50 overs a side match, at the County Ground, Beckenham, on Thursday, July 27.
They are an organisation with a programme designed to tackle the inequalities highlighted by the lack of British South Asian representation, in professional cricket. It aims to help players and coaches, through the system, into county cricket. Kent’s recent professional signing, Arafat Bhuiyan, was the seventh player, from their scheme, to make the breakthrough into a county first team. He made his Kent debut, against Surrey, in a championship match, at The Oval, making an early impression, with figures of 4 for 46, in his first spell of bowling at this level of the game.
In the Tunbridge Wells match, Kent’s Hamid Qadri showed his all-round ability with bat and ball, scoring 67, in Kent Seconds first innings of 256, and finishing with match figures of 7 for 81. Wicket-keeper Harry Finch, steered the side to their comfortable win, with an unbeaten century, and Bhuyian, damaged the Academy’s batting, taking 4 for 46, against the team that nurtured his cricket talents.
There was just four runs between the teams at the end of the first innings, the SACC making 260 all out, with Kent Seconds replying, with that small deficit.
In the visitors innings, Nikhil Gorantia scored 73, with 11 boundaries, and Mohammed Bilel 53, Amit Basra 40. Qadri 4 for 43, Jas Singh 2 for 50. Qadri then scored his 67 runs, and Ben Compton 44, in Kent Seconds reply. Kameron Khana 4 for 63, Bilal 3 for 80, Adam Patel 2 for 21.
In their second innings, the Academy side were dismissed for 174, leaving Kent Seconds requiring 179 for victory. Basra 38, Subhaam Mathmood 30, Mohammed Rizvi 29 not out, Qadri 3 for 37, Matt Quinn 2 for 19.
After losing two early wickets, an excellent third wicket unbroken partnership of 136, between Finch, and Academy student, Will Harby, saw Kent win the match with a day and a half to spare. Finch 105 not out, off 115 deliveries, with two sixes and 13 fours, Harby 41 not out, with six boundaries, as they reached their winning target 179 for 2.
Kent Seconds have two T20 friendlies next week, against a visiting Jersey side, at The County Ground, Beckenham. The first match is on Monday, June 12, with a 14:00 start, and the second on Tuesday, June 13, with an 11:00 start. Entry is free to both matches.
By Peter Burrowes
The Spitfires take on the Hawks this Friday
Kent Spitfires will face Hampshire Hawks in a T20 showdown at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence – under the lights on a Friday night:
Buy tickets now
We will be supporting The BeYou Project, in association with the Club’s Official Charity Partner, Porchlight, during this match.
Buy your T20 tickets now to save money, avoid disappointment & to lock in supporting your Spitfires during an exciting Summer of white-ball cricket!
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Members do not need to pre-book their space at T20 matches as per last season – entry will be gained by scanning a valid 2023 Kent Cricket Membership card at the gate.
Should seated areas such as the Frank Woolley Stand also sell-out, an allocation is set aside for Members & Six Pack Plus Ticket Holders.