Alexei Kervezee and Vikram Solanki both hit excellent half-centuries asWorcestershire beat Kent by six wickets in an entertaining Clydesdale Bank 40game at Canterbury
01-May-2011
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Alexei Kervezee and Vikram Solanki both hit excellent half-centuries asWorcestershire beat Kent by six wickets in an entertaining Clydesdale Bank 40game at Canterbury.Solanki smashed a classy 59 from just 49 balls, striking 10 fours, and Kervezee69 from 84 balls as Worcestershire reached their victory target with three ballsto spare.They were at the heart of a superbly-paced chase after Kent, who won the toss,posted 232 for 8 from their 40 overs – a total which was less than theywould have hoped for when Martin van Jaarsveld and Darren Stevens were blazingaway in a third-wicket stand of 70 in just 12 overs.But Van Jaarsveld was caught at deep mid-wicket for a run-a-ball 81 soon afterStevens had fallen in similar fashion for a quickfire 41 which included sixfours and an effortless six launched over long on against off-spinner ShaaiqChoudhry. Van Jaarsveld hit nine fours in his innings.After that, however, no Kent batsman could increase the scoring ratesignificantly as Worcestershire’s bowling attack did well to restrict the lowermiddle order. Seamers Jack Shantry, Gareth Andrew and Damien Wright allimpressed as they shared six wickets.From 87 for 1, with Rob Key hitting 29 in a partnership worth 79 in 12 overswith Van Jaarsveld, Kent would have been aiming for a total above 250 -especially after Stevens arrived to maintain the early momentum.In reply, Worcestershire were given a perfect start by Solanki and Moeen Ali,who added 79 inside 11 overs before Moeen was trapped leg before wicket by JamesTredwell for 31 off 34 balls, with six fours.And Kent’s predominantly youthful and inexperienced attack could not containtheir opponents, even after Solanki hit 19-year-old off spinner Adam Rileystraight to Tredwell at short extra cover in the 17th over.Neil Pinner, a 20-year-old batsman, played a sensible supporting role as he andKervezee put the game almost beyond doubt with a third-wicket stand of 78 in 15overs. Pinner hit only one four in his 37 from 44 balls, but kept rotating thestrike perfectly.When Pinner was stumped by Geraint Jones, to give Riley a second wicket in apromising debut performance of two for 37 from eight overs, James Cameronarrived to help Kervezee add a further 46 in seven overs.On the verge of victory, Dutch star Kervezee holed out to mid-off whenattempting a big hit against Azhar Mahmood, but he had by then played thematch-winning innings.Riley and Ashley Shaw were making their competition debuts for Kent while18-year-old all-rounder Adam Ball had only one previous appearance, at the endof last season.They were included as Kent are currently suffering from an injury list whichincludes Robbie Joseph (leg), Dewald Nel (back), Simon Cook (finger), Matt Coles(knee) and Joe Denly (broken thumb).