Henry takes 5 on debut as visitors eye win
Sunday 15th April 2018
Matt Henry was the pick of the Kent attack on day two and Daniel Bell-Drummond hit a fluent 50 as the bowlers continued to thrive in a frenetic Specsavers County Championship opener at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.
The New Zealand paceman picked up the final two wickets as the Westcountrymen failed to extend their overnight lead of 46 as he trapped Australian tailender Daniel Worrall LBW with the first ball of day three.
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Matt Taylor followed five balls later to bring Daniel Bell-Drummond and Sean Dickson to the crease to make amends for a low-scoring first innings.
Bell-Drummond looked more fluent, reaching his 24th first class 50 from just 58 balls, after Dickson was adjudged LBW to Worrall for 5.
The England Lions opener dominated a half-century stand with new signing Heino Kuhn, who looked to occupy the crease and take the shine of the new ball.
The umpire’s finger was raised again, one of 15 LBW dismissals in the match, as Matt Taylor caught the South African on the pad, striding forward before Bell-Drummond fell in the following over.
The opener was trapped on the crease by Gloucestershire debutant Ryan Higgins to trigger the departure of five batsman for 14 runs in 10 overs.
The all-rounder signed from Middlesex, shaped the ball superbly from the Pavilion end, as he claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in first class cricket.
Joe Denly nicked Higgins to the gloves of Gareth Roderick before Darren Stevens was leg-before.
Craig Miles took his solitary wicket as Will Gidman nicked behind to Roderick before 20-year-old Zak Crawley counter-attacked alongside the gritty resistance of Adam Rouse.
They shared the second highest stand of the match for Kent with Crawley (32) running out of partners before becoming Worrall’s second victim of the innings and fourth of the fixture to set the visitors a target of 108 to win.
Henry gave the hosts early hope by flattening two of Chris Dent’s stumps in the third over before Benny Howell (34*) and Roderick (11*) survived a few near misses to reach 61 for one before showers curtailed play for the day.
Free entry and free parking at The Spitfire Ground on day 4. No parking at the Simon Langton Girls Grammar School. Lime Tree Cafe will be open from 8am ahead of a scheduled 11am start.