Day 4
COUNTY WRAP UP IMPRESSIVE FIRST VICTORY OF THE SEASON WITH TWO SESSIONS TO SPARE
WORCESTERSHIRE registered their first win of the season as they wrapped up an emphatic 125 run success over Kent before lunch on the final day of the LV County Championship encounter at New Road.
Kent resumed at 51-3 in pursuit of a 266 target and were bowled out for 140 in 51 overs as Worcestershire followed up their impressive draw at promotion favourites Hampshire with another excellent performance.
The Worcestershire pace attack of Jack Shantry, Gareth Andrew and Charlie Morris did the damage for skipper Daryl Mitchell's side on the fourth morning as Kent lost seven wickets for 89 runs in 29 overs.
The discipline which has been installed into their bowling after a demanding winter's work under the scrutiny of bowling coach Matt Mason again was evident.
But there were plenty of positives in all aspects of the game for Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes to be satisfied with from his side's ruthless and efficient display.
Mitchell, Matt Pardoe, Moeen Ali, Alexei Kervezee and Ross Whiteley all made useful runs in either innings of the top six whilst wicket-keeper Ben Cox achieved a career best 89 and looked sharp behind the stumps.
There was also a sharpness about the home side's fielding and general demeanour in the field which augurs well for 2014.
Shantry made the first breakthrough on another glorious sunny morning when Ben Harmison, who scored a half century in the first innings, was trapped lbw for 10.
The left armer struck again when Brendan Nash (28) fell to a fine catch from Cox standing up after attempting to cut.
Shaaiq Choudhry then pulled off a superb catch at mid wicket, a diving one-handed effort to his right, to dismiss Darren Stevens (27) off Andrew.
Morris took three wickets in four overs to move the home side to the brink of victory.
He bowled James Tredwell (1) and had Sam Billings (12) and Mitchell Claydon (11) both adjudged lbw.
The win was wrapped up when former Worcestershire paceman Doug Bollinger (9) was bowled by Andrew.
Andrew finished with 4-43 – and match figures of 8-85 – Shantry 3-26 from 15 overs and Morris 3-31 off 13 overs.
Worcestershire collected a total of 20 points – 16 points for a win, three bowling and one batting – and have 32 from their opening two games.
