Second XI suffer defeat in season opener
A combined Kent/Sussex Second XI succumbed to a heavy defeat in their first Second XI Championship match of the season, losing by an innings and 236 runs to a strong Middlesex side in a behind closed doors game at Merchant Taylor’s School, Northwood.
View Scorecard & In-Play Clips >>>
The damage was done in the first session of the match when the visitors, captained by former Kent paceman Mitch Claydon, were put into bat and crashed to 71 all out in 38 overs to an experienced Middlesex bowling attack, which included former England paceman Steve Finn, and James Harris, who previously had a loan spell playing for Kent. Harris took 3 for 7, Finn 2 for 6 and Nathan Sowter 2 for 14.
Batting at number 11, Jas Singh had the satisfaction of being the innings top scorer with 17 runs.
Middlesex then scored a massive 508 for 9 declared in their first innings with a 152 opening partnership. Luke Hollman scored 96, Joe Cracknell 82 and Blake Cullen 72.
Kent’s Dutch international Fred Klaassen was the pick of the bowlers with a respectable 2 for 34 from 21 overs, whilst Singh took 2 for 56.
Facing a deficit of 437 the Kent/Sussex side were all out in their second innings for 201 for Middlesex to wrap up a convincing victory in three days. Two Kent youngsters, Academy student Will Harby and spinner Hamid Qadri contributed 26 and 27 respectively with the bat.
This Summer’s Second XI cricket programme consists of Championship matches and a T20 competition, but there will be a pause in games for a month from the middle of July whilst The Hundred and Royal London Cup matches are being played, and will return at their conclusion.
A Kent/Sussex Second XI will be in Championship action again on Monday next week, April 19, when they play Hampshire at Polo Farm, Canterbury.
Because of COVID restrictions, matches are currently being played behind closed doors and Kent Members will be unable to attend games at present.
By Peter Burrowes
View Scorecard & In-Play Clips >>>
WIN a copy of the 2021 Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, signed by 2021 Wisden Cricketers of the Year Zak Crawley & Darren Stevens, as well as the editor of the Almanack, Lawrence Booth.
Be in with a chance of owning a unique piece of cricketing history – spend £25 or more online or in-store at the Kent Cricket Shop before Monday 3rd May 2021 to be entered into our prize draw.
From the Kent Cricket Shop customers that enter this prize draw before the closing date, a winner will be chosen at random. The winner will be notified via e-mail week commencing Monday 10th May, 2021.
View the Kent Cricket Online Shop >>>
The Kent Cricket Shop at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence is now open from 10:00 – 15:00 on weekdays and 10:00 – 14:00 on Saturdays.