Result: Kent 412 (Dickson 207*; Thakor 5-63) and 176-3 (Bell-Drummond 88*) beat Derbyshire 492 (Thakor 130, Madsen 103; Coles 5-116) and 94 (Haggett 4-15, Tredwell 4-45) by seven wickets
You could argue that Derbyshire have been very lucky this season, getting the luck of the weather and getting draws where there could’ve been defeats. It’s unfortunate, then, that in a week where they were rather dominant the weather should hold off and they should suffer their first defeat of the season. Kent’s bowlers forced their hosts to collapse then swanned to an easy victory.
After amassing 492 in a first innings that saw both Shiv Thakor and Wayne Madsen reach a century, the Falcons have every right to believe their first victory was in the offing. If the plan was to reach around 200–250 then have a bowl, it went south very fast.
James Tredwell and Calum Haggett took four wickets apiece as the home side dramatically crumbled, the latter with a career-best 4-15.
Madsen and Neil Broom, who made 96 first time around, managed a small fightback this morning, after the side finished on the third evening with 9-3, but it was not enough.
Derbyshire’s final seven wickets fell for just 45 runs, leaving the side all out for 94 and Kent with just 175 needed for victory.
Sensing a second victory was nearby, Daniel Bell-Drummond played a composed innings of 80 in 99 balls. It was Alex Blake, however, who finished off the day as he bashed spinner Matt Critchley for three consecutive 6s.
Speaking afterwards, Madsen said “We thought 200 was going to be a good score and we would be able to bowl them out but they came out and played positively.
“We weren’t helped that we had to change the ball a few times with the wet outfield but it was disappointing not to get enough in the right areas to trouble them.
“I think we have to be better than that, especially on a wicket which has deteriorated, but I do think for us a team there are postives to take from this. Shiv [Thakor] with his hundred and five-for, he’s really played well for us this year.”
Haggett, who was key to Kent’s victory, added: “To get three wickets last night was a big factor, it put us in a good place and we managed to keep things going.
“We bowled pretty well as a group and we got the rewards and I thought we bowled a bit straighter than in the first inninngs.
“It started to keep a bit low and the odd one popped and thankfully it was my day. Treddy [James Tredwell] was getting some spin as well and we hit our areas better.
“It’s a good confidence-booster and we are in a good place at the moment but we know we need to keep putting in the work.”
