Worcestershire CCC paceman Dillon Pennington produced an explosive spell of post-lunch bowling on the final pre-season game’s opening day with Kent at Canterbury.
Pennington picked up FIVE wickets in the space of just 18 balls on his way to a glorious return of 12-6-21-6.
The former England Under-19 bowler sent back Darren Stevens, Jack Leaning, Marcus O’Riordan, Matt Milnes and Harry Podmore during that deadly early afternoon burst.
Ed Barnard picked up two wickets, and there were one apiece for Club Captain Joe Leach and Charlie Morris as Kent were bowled out for 145 in 41.5 overs.
It was another impressive performance by the Worcestershire attack after their excellent display as a unit against Somerset in the three-day game at Taunton.
When the 10th Kent wicket fell, the bowling figures were: Leach 8-2-25-1, Pennington 12-6-21-6, Barnard 9.5-2-41-2, Adam Finch 6-2-24-0 and Morris 6-2-31-1.
Kent continued batting under the terms of the game in which both counties will bat for a full day each, irrespective of the number of wickets that tumble.
There was the opportunity for leg spinner Brett D’Oliveira to have an extended bowl, and he and part-time seamer Daryl Mitchell also got amongst the wickets.
A 133 ball century from Grant Stewart – before he retired out – enabled Kent to reach 280-14 from 80 overs by the close.
Leach and Pennington took the new ball for Worcestershire on a chilly morning which saw the slip fielders constantly rubbing their hands.
Leach made the first breakthrough when England batsman Zak Crawley (2) left a delivery and saw his off-stump knocked back.
Pennington struck similarly with Jordan Cox (9) undone by a fine delivery.
Barnard came into the attack for Leach, and in his second over, Heino Kuhn (7) left a delivery that swung back in. He became the third player to be clean bowled.
Adam Finch replaced Pennington after an opening spell of 6-3-12-1.
Ollie Robinson and Darren Stevens, who whipped a Barnard delivery over mid-wicket for six, brought up a 50 partnership for the fourth wicket in 61 balls.
Leach and Pennington returned for a second burst shortly before lunch which was reached with Kent on 111-3 from 29 overs.
Pennington then took centre stage with his early afternoon heroics.
His very first ball of the session’s resumption saw Stevens survive a chance, but the next delivery had him lbw for 36 working on the legside.
Pennington’s next over brought him wickets with the second, third and fifth deliveries.
Jack Leaning (0) fell to a fine low catch by Daryl Mitchell at second slip, and the next ball saw Marcus O’Riordan squared up and edging through to Ben Cox.
It became three wickets in four balls as Tom Fell clung onto a low chance at first slip off Matt Milnes.
The procession of wickets continued as Robinson (59) went lbw to Morris, and Harry Podmore (4) flashed at a widish Pennington delivery and was caught behind.
Former Worcestershire paceman Miguel Cummins (1) hit Barnard straight to D’Oliveira at deep point to wrap up the innings.
Kuhn came out to bat for a second time to accompany Grant Stewart, who was unbeaten on 21 when the first innings ended with leg spinner D’Oliveira given his first bowl; of the game shortly before tea.
Kuhn retired on 33 not out in his second innings, before Stevens went lbw to D’Oliveira for a duck in his second knock of the day.
Nathan Gilchrist (12) flicked Mitchell off his legs straight into the safe hands of D’Oliveira before Grant Stewart retired out on 105.
The final bowling figures were: Leach 8-2-25-1, Pennington 16-6-36-6, Barnard 13-2-47-2, Finch 13-3-48-0, Morris 7-2-36-1, D’Oliveira 15-2-43-, Mitchell 5-1-18-1 and Jake Libby 3-0-22-0.
