Kent Struggles to Avoid Defeat

Kent continued their battle for survival in the Vitality County Championship, reaching 85 for no loss in their second innings against Nottinghamshire at Canterbury, still trailing by 123 runs at the close of day two.

Tawanda Muyeye remained unbeaten on 55, with Ben Compton contributing 22 not out, when poor light stopped play with seven overs still scheduled.

Nottinghamshire, having posted 433 in their first innings, saw Nathan Gilchrist take 4 for 101, while Farhan Ahmed claimed 4 for 37 as Kent were bowled out for 225 in response. Joey Evison was Kent’s top scorer with 76 against his former team, while extras provided a significant 43 runs.

Forced to follow on, Kent's situation remains dire. Nottinghamshire’s seven bonus points mean that even a miraculous Kent victory would leave the visitors needing just one point from their final match against Warwickshire to secure Kent's relegation. Additionally, if Lancashire defeats Somerset, Kent will be relegated regardless of what happens in the remaining two days.

Notts resumed day two on 393 for 6, with Luke Fletcher falling for 22 after misjudging a leave against George Garrett, who clipped the bail. Rob Lord narrowly survived an appeal before being lbw to Gilchrist, who also bowled Ahmed for 2 shortly after. Dane Schadendorf was the last to go, caught at long off by Daniel Bell-Drummond, ending Nottinghamshire’s innings at 433.

Kent's first innings started poorly as Compton was dismissed lbw to Fletcher for four after just five balls, while Muyeye fell for 10, caught at square leg by Lord off Fletcher. At lunch, Kent had limped to 60 for 2, with Bell-Drummond dismissed shortly after for 28, caught behind off Lyndon James.

Joe Denly was next, edging Lord to Schadendorf for 5, and Kent’s troubles deepened when Freddie McCann dropped Evison, then on one, off James. Jack Leaning gloved a short ball from Lord to the keeper for 26, while Ahmed took a wicket with his first delivery, getting Harry Finch caught at short leg by Jack Haynes. At that point, it seemed Kent might not last beyond two days.

However, Akeem Jordan provided some resistance, scoring 23 in a 63-run partnership with Evison before being lbw to Ahmed. Ahmed then trapped Matt Parkinson for a 28-ball duck after a sharp catch at short leg by McCann, and the session dragged on as Jacob Duffy bowled Gilchrist with the last ball before tea.

Evison eventually holed out to Ahmed, caught by Ben Slater at deep cover, forcing Kent to follow on for the sixth time this season. Nevertheless, their second innings began more positively, with Muyeye racing to 50 off 49 balls. The play was called off at 6:06 pm due to bad light.