The Kent Cricket League returns
Tuesday 11th May 2021
After the whole of last season’s Kent League Cricket was scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic, the new campaign got underway on Saturday, with all five Premier Division matches being played.
2019 champions Beckenham were 18 run victors over Holmesdale. The home side scored 179 for 6 from their 40 overs, with Finnan Bryan hitting 58. Kent Academy scholar Will Harby took 1 for 22 for Holmesdale, who were all out for 161 in their innings, Luke Blakeby 50, Johan Malcolm 4 for 28.
Bexley, captained by former Kent spinner and current Boys’ Pathway Coach Adam Riley, beat newly promoted Bromley by 45 runs in a match reduced to 30 overs a side because of a late start due to rain. The home side scored 176 for 4, Shaun Evans 56, Ben Aldred 40 not out. Bromley were set a new tough target of 216 to win but slumped to 130 all out. Kent Second XI ‘keeper Sam Smith top scored for the visitors with 37. Some excellent bowling by Dave Crawley, 5 for 17 did the damage and Riley took 1 for 15.
Blackheath’s Tanweer Sikanda scored 96 not out in his side’s 143 for 7 against Sandwich but got little help from the rest of the batsmen – they scored 35 runs between them as the visitors fell to a seven wicket defeat. Sandwich reached 146 for 3 in just 27.2 overs, Robert Goatham 46 not out, Tom Chapman 44.
The other newly promoted side, Bickley Park, lost by just three runs away to Sevenoaks who made 180 for 6, John Bowden 51, Elliott Hooper 3 for 28. The visitors fell just short in their reply ending on 177 for 8, Hooper 78, Miles Richardson 3 for 22.
There was a 45 run victory at The Nevill Ground for Tunbridge Wells over Lordswood. The home side scored 201 for 6 from their 40 overs, Alexander Williams 70. Former Kent Second XI player Jack Laraman took 2 for 52 for the visitors. In reply, Lordswood were all out for 156, Burham Mathmood 63, Michael Waller 3 for 21, Christian Davis 3 for 28. Kent Academy scholar,Joe McCaffrey bowled six overs for The Wells conceding 28 runs.
In Division One, Canterbury enjoyed a 51 run victory over The Mote at Maidstone, with Kent Second XI player Isaac Dilkes scoring 45 in their 220 for 6. The Mote could only reach 169 for 7 from their 35 overs.
By Peter Burrowes
*Header image courtesy of Kent Sports News
Nearly 22 years after former Kent and England seamer Alan Igglesden was first diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, ‘Iggy’ and wife Liz have spoken to the Professional Cricketers’ Trust (PCT) about the couple’s remarkable journey and the unfathomable challenges that they have faced together along the way.