Interactive Kent County Cricket Club made progress towards a third victory of 2019 on their most recent outing, against Northamptonshire. They capitalized on an epic batting collapse from the other side. At the conclusion of Day two, Northamptonshire was up the creek without a paddle. They found themselves reeling at 107 for 7, requiring still 153 runs to achieve the chicken dinner.
The best performance for Kent was by fast-bowler Keith Dudgeon with 4–32. His eye-catching spell saw him take three wickets in just a nine-ball burst, swinging the match decisively Kent’s way. Dudgeon’s final wicket of the day came when he trapped Dom Leech lbw, sending him back to the pavilion and further deepening Northamptonshire’s woes.
Aside from his monumental inning, Grant Stewart was instrumental in preventing the Northants innings from going too far. He ended their innings by taking the wicket of Liam Guthrie, who was caught down the legside. As Northamptonshire’s innings threatened to crumble, Kent’s bowlers showed the technique and control that had their opponents completely shattered.
In the bowler’s attack, Kent came through with his riveting performance. They made 231 all out in their first innings, then 171 all out in their second. Among those, opener Jordan Evison quickly became the key figure with a great knock of 52 with Harry Compton taking charge, racking up a useful 36. Northamptonshire bowler Tom Weatherall was the standout performer, taking total control of the match with his heroics. In just ten deliveries, he took three wickets for a mere 38 runs! His scalps included the prized wicket of England opener Zak Crawley, trapped for 22 after a bright but eventful start.
Crawley powerfully stroked a glorious controlled on-drive off Luke Procter for 4 – indicative of his intent. On the rare occasion Guthrie would get it wrong, he positively caressed the ball off his legs, sending it soaring past square-midwicket on the full for four. Kent were finally off the mark with their first victory as they went in to lunch at 61 without loss.
For Northamptonshire’s batting, they fell to the inevitable pressure of Kent’s attack, not least of all top scorer Ryan Bartlett, who was left unbeaten on 54 come stumps. Bartlett continued to demonstrate his intent by half volleying a ball from Gilchrist over the slips for two boundaries. He then hoisted Dudgeon over long on for a massive six. Here’s how his innings was attacked from all angles. He lived a charmed life, almost every ball beaten outside the off-stump and a huge number of close calls against him, including the most fortunate nick ever to pass through the slip cordon.
Though the match was far from over, it soon became apparent that Northants had a mountain to climb. They only have the three points from this exciting match on board so far. In order to win the match against Kent, they will require 153 runs. The buildup is similar to the pressure they feel heading into the fourth quarter in any close game.
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