Second final defeat of summer ‘08

A decade ago, Kent were eyeing their second trophy in as many seasons and to finally end their Lord’s hoodoo. After their six previous finals at the Home of Cricket had ended in defeat, the Spitfires looked to break that dismal run with victory over Essex in the Friends Provident Trophy in 2008. A year earlier, Rob Key’s team had won the T20 Trophy at Edgbaston and had lost in the 2008 final to Middlesex earlier in the summer. Essex were keen on revenge over their rivals after being knocked out of that competition at the semi-final stage. Spitfires slumped to 59-4 inside the first 20 overs with the damage being done by former Kent man David Masters, Graham Napier and Chris Wright. Martin van Jaarsveld, who was the leading run-scorer that season with 660, made 58 batting at No.3 and Ryan McLaren’s 63 dragged them up to 214 all out. There was also a 66-run partnership between McLaren and Yasir Arafat (27) for the eighth wicket to push the total over 200. There was a glimmer of hope for the Spitfires when they reduced Essex to 93-4 with the wickets of Alastair Cook (33) and Ravi Bopara (7) going cheaply. Robbie Joseph inspired Kent to a bit of belief that they could defend their modest total. A fifth-wicket partnership of 68 between Grant Flower and James Foster got their side to within 53 of their target before Ryan ten Doeschate’s unbeaten 30 saw Essex home with five wickets and seven balls to spare. Flower was named man-of-thematch for his 70 not out in the successful run chase. Joseph (3-40) was the pick of the Kent bowlers but it was a second final defeat of the season for Key’s side and the wait for a Lord’s final win continued.