Nash half-century helps Kent secure win

GRACE ROAD, England, CMC – Former West Indies vice captain Brendan Nash stroked a half-century and shared in a critical century stand, as Kent staged a successful run chase to beat Leicestershire by six wickets here yesterday.

Resuming the day on 66 for one in pursuit of a target of 304, Kent ended on 306 for four, helped by Nash’s brisk 53.

It was his entertaining century stand with Sam Northeast, who cracked an unbeaten 112, that fired Kent to victory half-hour before tea on the final day of the four-day County Championship Division Two contest.
Brendan Nash ... stroked 53 in Kent’s win.

Brendan Nash … stroked 53 in Kent’s win.

With Kent slipping to 110 for three, Nash and Northeast added 116 for the fourth wicket to put Kent in sight of victory.

Nash faced just 76 balls in nearly two hours at the crease and struck seven fours and a six while Northeast also scored at a fair clip, smashing 19 fours off 143 balls in 166 minutes.

The left-handed Nash, who played the last of his 21 Tests for West Indies three years ago, eventually perished when he gave an easy catch to captain Josh Cobb at mid-off off 23-year-old seamer Nathan Buck.

However, Northeast then dominated an unbroken fifth wicket stand of 80 with Darren Stevens (21 not out) to see Kent home.

The visitors had led Leicestershire on first innings by 85 runs, replying to their 217 with 302. However, Leicestershire gave an improved performance in their second innings, scoring 388, behind Cobb’s 137.