KENT CRICKET
Tearful Heino Kuhn did not watch Kent cross the finishing line on Sunday – after getting out with four runs still needed for victory.
Kuhn’s magnificent 127 guided the Spitfires to a match-winning position in their thrilling semi-final against Worcestershire in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
But Kent’s victory bid was left in the balance when he got out in the final over.
It was left to Harry Podmore to hit the winning boundary and Kuhn only realised Kent had reached Lord’s thanks to the reaction of his team-mates.
Kuhn said: “I was heartbroken when I got out. It was my job to take us through and to get out at that stage, I was in tears.
“I wasn’t watching at the end. I had my head in my hands but when Harry hit it I looked up at the screen, and the guys were jumping up. I thought someone was going to fall off the balcony!”
Kuhn’s fourth century in five matches in the One-Day Cup is a feat never achieved before in the history of English List A cricket. He is the leading run scorer in the competition with 664 at an average of 94.85.
He said: “I’m very happy to have contributed to get us to Lord’s. I said when I came here that I wanted to win trophies and everyone’s aim in that changing room is exactly the same.
“They play like they want to win trophies and this is one step closer.”
The 34-year-old shared century partnerships with Adam Rouse and Alex Blake to help Kent recover from 31-3.
He said: “We lost a couple of early wickets but Rousey came in – he wasn’t even supposed to play – and he played a great knock under pressure.
“A lot of credit must go to him, and then Blakey came in and played a phenomenal innings.”
Even though Kuhn was left distraught by his late dismissal, Spitfires got over the line thanks to Podmore.
“Harry is a special creature,” he added. “I don’t think he feels pressure and he came in and delivered.
“It’s 100% belief. We play until the last ball is bowled and never give up. There’s a lot of belief in our team.
“I’m just happy the team got through to the win. If I score zero or 99 or 100 and the team wins, I will be happy.”