Walker delighted with response
Head coach Matt Walker was delighted with the response from his Kent players in their eight-wicket win over Leicestershire in the Specsavers County Championship, Division 2. Kent had been beaten in two days by Leicestershire at Canterbury just three weeks ago but Walker’s side came out on top in the reverse fixture. That win puts Kent to within 15 points of top-of-the-table Warwickshire. Walker said: “You can’t afford too many losses if you’re going to get promoted, one, maybe two, and it’s going to be a tight finish in Division 2. “We were so disappointed with the way we played against Leicestershire at Canterbury. We spoke about it, we wanted a response and we got one.” Ivan Thomas took a career-best of 4-35 as Leicestershire were all out for 220 after Kent used the uncontested toss to bowl first. Joe Denly top scored in Kent’s reply with 62 as they were all out for 195 to give the home side a first innings lead of 25. Pakistan seamer Mohammed Abbas did the damage with the ball, taking 6-48 while Ben Raine claimed 4-62. Thomas then claimed a new career-best in the second innings, taking 5-91 as Leicestershire were all out for 227 to set a target of 252 for Kent. An unbeaten third-wicket partnership of 214 between Sean Dickson (134 not out) and Heino Kuhn (96 not out) saw Kent home with eight wickets and a day to spare. Walker said: “It was a real scrap for most of the game, it was tough batting and to win the way we did was a great effort. “Conditions definitely improved but Heino Kuhn and Sean Dickson played well – it was a brilliant partnership. They got in and just kept going and going. “They took responsibility and didn’t leave it to anyone else and that’s what you need sometimes. “It’s something all the batters can learn from – get through the tough part, keep going, and then it does get easier. “They showed a clear mindset and complemented each other well and it made for great watching for us on the balcony.”
New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry will return for Wednesday’s Championship clash at Derbyshire.