Kent Relegated As Durham Seal First Championship

Kent Relegated As Durham Made To Wait

Callum Thorp claimed figures of seven for 88 in Kent's second innings as Durham wrapped up victory by an innings and 71 runs on the final day.

©Action Images / John Sibley Livepic

Kent 225 (Key 58) & 204 (McLaren 65no, Thorp 7-88) lost to
Durham 500-8d (Breese 121no, Di Venuto 90) by an innings and 71 runs
LV County Championship Division One, Canterbury, day four of four

Points: Kent 3, Durham 22

Kent rolled over on day four of their clash to confirm their relegation from the top Division of the County Championship. Durham took the five wickets required in the morning session of the final day to complete an innings victory and the County Championship title.

Resuming on 159 for five Kent’s overnight batsmen Justin Kemp (54) and Ryan McLaren (65 not out) both reached half-centuries. Kemp lost his wicket soon after, however, as Callum Thorp continued from yesterday’s five wicket haul taking the wicket of the South African which was followed by Yasir Arafat (18) as Kent’s tail crumbled in spectacular form. Thorp was chief destroyer for Durham claiming seven for 88, his antics in the second innings of this match were enough to see the North-East County lift their maiden County Championship title. Three consecutive ducks finished of the innings and gave Steve Harmison arguably the easiest three wickets of his career, as the last five wickets went down for just 45 runs on the final day.

All eyes turned to Nottinghamshire as the home side were set an unlikely run chase to snatch the title away from Durham, while the relief of Kent’s relegation must be felt all over Hove as Sussex and Yorkshire had their safety guaranteed.

© Cricket World