Worcestershire’s resurgence in the Vitality County Championship continued as they secured an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Kent at Visit Worcestershire New Road. The triumph marked their second consecutive win, bolstering their hopes of retaining Division One status.
Kent’s batting woes continued in their first innings, as they collapsed from 73 for 0 to 171 all out. Joe Leach, returning from injury, played a pivotal role with a six-wicket haul. Worcestershire’s response was anchored by Brett D’Oliveira’s 97, who made a timely return after a shoulder injury.
In Kent’s second innings, Tawanda Muyeye showcased his batting prowess with a career-best 211. However, Tom Taylor’s consistent bowling and Gareth Roderick’s seven catches behind the stumps kept Worcestershire in control.
Resuming on 353 for 8, Kent added only 23 runs before being bowled out for 376. Leach claimed the final wicket, giving Worcestershire a modest target of 101.
Worcestershire’s openers fell cheaply, but Kashif Ali (52*) and Rob Jones (23*) forged an unbroken 69-run partnership to guide their team to victory. The win earned Worcestershire 23 points, following their previous triumph against Durham.
Kent’s struggles continued, as they now face an uphill battle to avoid relegation. Muyeye’s batting brilliance provided a glimmer of hope, but Worcestershire’s overall dominance proved too much to overcome.
