Match Report: Kent Second XI vs. Surrey Second XI
Kent Second XI’s opening Championship match of the season, against Surrey Seconds, at The County Ground, Beckenham, finished in a draw after bad light and rain ended the action with 26 overs remaining in the days play, and the visitors 88 runs short of victory.
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After three declarations Surrey were set 332 to win, off 73 overs, and were 244 for 3, when the weather intervened. There was some excellent cricket played during the match, which saw 1193 runs scored, with three centurions, two from Kent and one from Surrey.
For the second successive match, Kent youngster Tawanda Muyeye hit three figures, in an innings of 119 with 17 fours and a six, to follow up the century he scored in the friendly against Sussex at Hove.
He enjoyed a second wicket partnership of 246, with fellow batter, Harry Finch, who was in sparkling form himself, with a stylish century of his own, 167, which included 23 boundaries, with Kent declaring their first innings on 401 for 6.
Surrey Seconds wicket keeper, Joshua Blake hit 80, and Gus Atkinson 58, as the visitors handed Kent a 92 run lead, when they declared on 309 for 7. Blakes wicket was picked up by 17-year-old Academy student, Barney Ford, an exciting moment for the youngster, stepping up into a higher grade of cricket, and replacing Hamid Qadri, who was called into the first team squad for their championship match against Essex. Arafat Bhuiyan, who plays club cricket for Blackheath, in the Kent League, took 2 for 55.
Harry Finch continued his run scoring streak in Kent’s second innings, falling just four runs short of a second century in the match, out for 96 with 15 fours and a six. Skipper Alex Blake hit 46, ending the innings on 239 for 7, Daniel Moriarty with an impressive haul of 7 for 84. Set a sporting winning challenge Surrey’s Blake was again in the runs, 111 not out, off 109 deliveries, with 16 fours, Atkinson 79 not out, with nine boundaries and a six, as they shared an unbroken fourth wicket partnership of 161 when the bad weather ended play, frustrating both sets of players. Kent spinner James Logan 2 for 23.
Kent Seconds’ next Championship match is against Essex Seconds, at Polo Farm, Canterbury, starting next Monday, April 24. Entry is free.
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By Peter Burrowes
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