Cricket

Durham's Alex Lees led the charge with a scintillating century as the hosts took control of their Vitality County Championship clash against Kent. Despite a valiant six-wicket haul from Matt Parkinson, Kent trail by 264 runs with seven wickets remaining.Lees, the Durham skipper, set the tone with a rapid 144 off 180 deliveries, including 18 boundaries. He was ably supported by Emilio Gay (52) and David Bedingham (66), who contributed to Durham's first-innings total of 360.Kent's response began poorly, losing early wickets to Daniel Hogg and Bas de Leede. However, Harry Finch and Jack Leaning steadied the ship with a 72-run partnership. Finch eventually fell for 34, leaving Kent on 96 for 3 at stumps.Parkinson was the star performer for Kent, claiming 6 for 109. He removed Lees, Ollie Robinson, and both Hogg brothers to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.Durham's innings was characterized by aggressive batting, with Bedingham hitting three fours and four sixes in his 38-ball 66. Lees reached his century in just 115 balls, while Gay impressed on his home debut with a composed 52.Kent's reply was hampered by the loss of Tawanda Muyeye and Jaydn Denly, but Finch and Leaning showed resilience with their partnership. Colin Ackermann eventually dismissed Finch, leaving Kent with a mountain to climb in the second innings.

Hampshire's batting lineup faced a stern test on the opening day of their Vitality County Championship clash against Kent at Canterbury, as the hosts exploited the challenging conditions to restrict them to 213 for 7.Matt Parkinson and George Garrett proved to be the tormentors for Hampshire, claiming three wickets apiece. Parkinson's economical spell of 3 for 31 included the crucial scalp of James Vince, who had top-scored for the visitors with a gritty 88. Garrett, meanwhile, chipped in with 3 for 60, including the early dismissal of Fletcha Midleton.The weather played a significant role in the day's proceedings, with no play possible before lunch due to rain. When the action finally got underway, Kent's bowlers made the most of the damp, overcast conditions. Midleton was bowled by Garrett for 8, while Joey Evison removed Toby Albert for 11.Vince and Nick Gubbins provided some resistance for Hampshire, putting on 83 for the third wicket. However, Gubbins' dismissal for 24 off Garrett's bowling opened the door for Kent. Ben Brown and Liam Dawson both fell cheaply, leaving Hampshire in a precarious position.Vince's departure for 88, caught by Joe Denly off Parkinson's bowling, was a major blow for the visitors. Parkinson then accounted for Dawson, caught by Charlie Stobo at second slip. Harry Finch missed a chance to stump James Fuller, but made amends by taking a sharp catch off Parkinson's bowling to dismiss the batsman for 17.As darkness descended, play was eventually abandoned for the day with 11 overs remaining. Hampshire will resume their innings on day two, hoping to build a more substantial total and put pressure on Kent's bowlers.

Kent's Vitality Blast campaign got off to a flying start as they thrashed Middlesex by 98 runs at Chelmsford, thanks to a brilliant performance from Matt Parkinson.Parkinson, who joined Kent from Lancashire over the winter, claimed a hat-trick in his third over, dismissing Jack Davies, Tom Helm, and Henry Brookes in quick succession. His figures of 4 for 25 proved to be the catalyst for Middlesex's collapse, as they were bowled out for a paltry 107, well short of their target of 206.Earlier, Joe Denly had anchored Kent's innings with a well-paced 56 off 33 balls, including two sixes and seven fours. Daniel Bell-Drummond, who has been a thorn in Middlesex's side in recent years, provided good support with 38.Luke Hollman and Blake Cullen shared six wickets for Middlesex, but their efforts proved to be in vain as Kent's total proved to be too much for the hosts.Middlesex's chase got off to a poor start as they lost Leus du Plooy for 11, bowled by Grant Stewart. Ryan Higgins and Stephen Eskinazi also departed cheaply, leaving Middlesex in a precarious position at 49 for 4.Max Holden, who had scored a century in the same fixture last season, failed to repeat his heroics, falling for 12 to the spin of Marcus O'Riordan. Joe Cracknell, batting at an unfamiliar position of No. 6, was bowled by Parkinson, and Davies' brief resistance was ended by Parkinson's hat-trick.Parkinson's heroics capped off a dominant performance from Kent, who will be hoping to build on this victory as they look to challenge for the Vitality Blast title this season.