Kent stun Champions on final day of the season.
Darren
Stevens led a miraculous victory for Kent on the final day of the 2013 season,
finishing unbeaten on 205, as the hosts clinched a two-wicket victory over the
previously unbeaten Champions.
Kent played with a no-fear approach,
attempting to defend a record stemming back to 1872, the last time they failed
to win a home game in the Championship campaign.
Lancashire lived to regret a premature
declaration as Kent successfully chased 418, the highest ever fourth innings
total versus Lancashire, the previous three highest also against Kent.
Adam Ball made 69 in a 148-run partnership
with Stevens, after opener Sam Northeast, had earlier been dismissed by Luke
Procter for 70.
The Division Two victors struck in the
first full over of the day, as Brendan Nash departed to Zimbabwean Kyle Jarvis,
but this proved to be the fast-bowlers only wicket of the day.
The wicket of Ben Harmison (7) proved to be
key after he had made 59 in the first innings and at 60-3 Lancashire appeared
to be heading for their ninth win of the campaign.
A stand worth 82 between Northeast and
Stevens kick-started the revival and soon enough the hosts became favorites
despite the large total required.
After making a century in the first
innings, former captain Rob Key had expected to have played his final hand in
the season, due to a broken thumb, but he was able to accompany Stevens over
the finish line with three painful runs batting at number ten.
Oliver Newby (3-55) claimed two late
wickets to swing the pendulum once more, but Lancashire had an insufficient
amount of runs to play with as Stevens continued his onslaught in an innings
containing 21 fours and three sixes.
It will have been disappointing for
Lancashire to finish the season on a loss, tarnishing their unbeaten record,
but they will take solace from their promotion to first division as Champions
and finishing 36 points clear of Northamptonshire in second place.
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