Stevens and Northeast take Spitfires to victory in Netherlands CB40

Netherlands 199 for 6 (40 overs), Kent 200 for 6 (35.5 overs)

Kent have concluded a successful Canterbury Week with a second victory; the Spitfires beating the Netherlands by four wickets in a CB40 match at a packed St Lawrence Ground.

The Netherlands won the toss and elected to bat. Lively bowling from Wahab Riaz and Azhar Mahmood soon saw the visitors reduced to seven for two. The Dutch slipped to 75 for six, eventually finishing on 199 for six; helped along by Kentconceding 19 wides. The Netherlands’ innings was dominated by a 124 run partnership between Tom de Grooth and Mudassar Bukhari. Bukhari hit an unbeaten 78 from 62 balls, which included seven fours and two sixes, and De Grooth an unbeaten 37 from 49 balls.

In reply, Kent struggled in the first 10 overs, losing four quick wickets. Joe Denly (1) and Daniel Bell-Drummond (17) both fell to Shane Mott. Mahmood (20) and Martin Van Jaarsveld (11) – captain in the absence of Rob Key, followed in the first nine overs, and Kent were on 54 for four.

But, Stevens fresh from turning in career best bowling figures of 11 for 70 in Kent’s County Championship match against Surrey, turned to success with the bat, and along with Sam Northeast (58), who was dropped by Barresi on 49, shared an impressive stand of 132 off 136 balls. Stevens (70 off 67 balls), was caught by Smart off the bowling of Mott, four overs before the end. Geraint Jones followed, leaving Adam Ball to hit the winning boundary from the penultimate ball of the 35th over, giving Kent their fourth CB40 win of the season.

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Photo Sarah Ansell sarahcanterbury.com

** Reminder: On Wednesday, day one of theLV=CC match against Middlesex will commence atmidday (gates open 10am). This isdue to the televised, floodlit CB40 match taking place on Tuesday night – click here for advanced purchasetickets to either of these matches**

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