Saturday, August 24th, 2024

Day Three report: Worcestershire v Kent

Tom Taylor made two late crucial breakthroughs and James Hartshorn picked up the prized wicket of Kent double century-maker Tawanda Muyeye to put Worcestershire back in control on day three of the Vitality County Championship match at Visit Worcestershire New Road.

All-rounder Taylor had bowled well with little luck in Kent’s first innings but was rewarded with three scalps today, including Grant Stewart and Matt Parkinson with the second new ball, in the final stages of the day

Then in the final over Hartshorn had Muyeye caught behind by keeper Gareth Roderick for a superb 211 as Kent ended the day on 353-8 – a lead of  77.

Every Worcestershire player shook Muyeye’s hand as he departed from the middle in a typical show of sportsmanship.

Taylor finished with figures of 3-85 and kept running in all day with pace and aggression as Worcestershire kept chipping away with the ball and there were two wickets apiece for Hartshorn and Adam Finch.

It was also one of those days for Worcestershire where the half chances did not quite go to hand or stick in contrast to the superb display in the field on day one.

But they are still in the driving seat despite Muyeye’s heroics and looking tomorrow to complete a second successive victory in the competition.

Kent had started a truncated third day – play did not begin until 2pm – on 104-2, still needing a further 174 to avoid an innings defeat after being outplayed during the first half of the game.

But Muyeye, who resumed unbeaten on 80, again looked a class performer as he completed the first double century of his career.

Jack Leaning began proceedings with a trio of boundaries but James Hartshorn brought about his downfall in the third over of the day.

He was undone by a full and swinging delivery from the New Zealander and was plumb lbw for 27.

Muyeye completed his century from 109 balls with a single off Joe Leach.

But the introduction into the attack of Adam Finch led to another breakthrough in his first over of the day.

Joey Evison (16) pushed forward and was caught behind by Gareth Roderick low down to his right.

Muyeye continued to bat in impressive fashion although he was fortunate to edge Ethan Brookes just short of Rob Jones second slip and then inches in front of Brett D’Oliveira at mid wicket.

He also had a slice of luck on 135 when he top edged Hartshorn in between two fielders at backward square leg.

Club Captain D’Oliveira brought himself into the attack as an all-spin combination alongside opener Jake Libby as Kent reached 222-4 from 58 overs by tea.

Harry Finch provided staunch support for Muyeye although he was relieved when edging Tom Taylor and seeing a head high chance not grasped by first slip.

But Taylor kept plugging away and was rewarded when Harry Finch was caught in the crease and lbw.

Muyeye went past his previous best score of 179 with a six over long on.

Worcestershire claimed the second ball immediately it became available at 318-5 from 80 overs although they were unable to stop Muyeye completing his double hundred.

But Taylor did strike to end a stand of 84 when Stewart was trapped lbw for 41 at 333-6 and then had Matt Parkinson (10) caught behind.

Worcestershire Assistant Head Coach Kadeer Ali said: “We’ve had to work really hard today. Fully credit to Muyeye. I thought he was outstanding. He played really nicely in the first innings and today was a special knock.
 
“He held them together and they had four or five decent partnerships and the bowlers had to keep coming back and we worked really hard and as a collective unit bowled really well.
 
“Tommy Taylor probably deserved a little bit more luck, probably some more in the wicket-taking column but overall we stuck at it and kept on breaking partnerships when they were just starting to blossom.
 
“A few chances didn’t quite go to hand but the players didn’t lose heart and kept going. Not everything will go your way and it is all about being patient and getting the ball in the right area.
 
“That’s the beauty of these boys. They love to work hard and put a shift in for the team and I thought we did that really well today.
 
“Tom has been brilliant for us. He was frustrated by an injury during the early part of the season so he missed quite a lot of cricket.
 
“He came straight into some T20 cricket and was probably a little undercooked but he has been brilliant and showing how good he is now.
 
“His spells at the end of the day after they were in a decent position were vital and it feels like there is not much different between his first and last spells in terms of pace.”
 
Kent double century-maker Tawanda Muyeye said: “To be fair, some of the boys have never seen me that happy because I’m usually quite reserved and quite quiet.
 
“It was more to do what has happened with the season. I struggled a lot and I just never ever saw any light at the end of the tunnel.
 
“I found some form in the T20s, went to The Hundred, didn’t play that much, and for me to play like that over the last two days has made me so happy.
 
“It was tough at the start of the summer. It was tough for everyone watching as well because it didn’t look like me (as a player) at all.
 
“To come out and be myself, and just take it on straight away, from the first innings, was brilliant and for me, at some stage I just needed to grow up and be responsible.
 
“For me, cricket has always been about fun and entertaining people so I hope that was good enough.
 
“There is still a lot of work to be done. We all have our goals in life and cricket and this is a starting point and I want to carry on and work as hard as I can.”