Kent v Worcestershire. CB40 Group A. Match Report.
Damien Wright came into the team as the only change from the previous match against Middlesex in the place of Richard Jones. Kent won the toss and elected to bat first on a hot and sunny day in front of the SKY cameras.
Despite loosing an early wicket Kent set off well with Martin van Jaarsveld looking in fine form. A 2nd wicket stand with Robert Key (29) of 79 and a 3rd wicket stand with Darren Stevens (41) of 70 gave the home side a very good start and looked on course for a big total.
Gareth Andrew picked up the key wicket of van Jaarsveld in the 30th over, caught by Daryl Mitchell for 81 which slowed down the flow of runs as the Worcestershire bowlers took control again with some regular bowling changes which may have contributed to two no balls for field placement errors which could have proved crucial in a close match.
Gareth Andrew finished with figures of 3-43 and Jack Shantry 2-37 from their eight over allocations as Kent reached 232-8 in 40 overs.
In reply Moeen Ali and Vikram Solanki made an opening partnership of 70 within 11 overs before Moeen was trapped LBW for 31 by James Tredwell. Solanki looked at his one day best with some fluid cover drives and quickly passed his 50 within 40 deliveries and looked well start to record another big innings. It was a bit of a surprise when he was dismissed for 59 giving a regulation catch to James Tredwell off the bowling of Adam Riley, a 19 year old off spinner making his List A debut. It was a class innings lasting just 49 deliveries and containing 10 boundaries which gave Worcestershire the perfect platform for their run chase.
Alexei Kervezee and Neil Pinner in a 3rd wicket stand of 78 ensured that Worcestershire were always up with the required run rate but also taking no chances ensuring that that the visitors would have wickets in hand in the final 10 overs of the innings. Pinner scored a patient, composed 37 from 44 deliveries before being stumped by Geraint Jones off the bowling of Riley. Pinner and Kervezee worked well in partnership with good running between the wickets.
Kervezee continued his fine run of form this season scoring 69 from 85 deliveries and looked very disappointed to be dismissed just before the end to another catch to James Tredwell but was well worthy of his man of the match award.
James Cameron came in at the end of the innings with a 31 off just 24 deliveries that judged the run chase to perfection in a 4th wicket stand of 46 with Kervezee with Worcestershire hitting the winning run with just 3 balls to spare.
Worcestershire (233-4) beat Kent (232-8) by 6 wickets.
