Cricket

Northamptonshire Steelbacks, bolstered by the sensational debut of Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, cruised to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Kent Spitfires in the Metro Bank Cup at Canterbury.Chahal, who joined the Steelbacks just hours before the match, wreaked havoc on the Kent batting lineup, claiming an impressive 5 for 14 in an unbroken 10-over spell. His victims included Kent's top scorer, Jaydn Denly, who was dismissed for 22. Justin Broad also impressed with the ball, taking 3 for 16 as Kent were bundled out for a paltry 82 in 35.1 overs.Northamptonshire's chase was a mere formality, with James Sales (32 not out) and George Bartlett (31 not out) guiding their team to victory in just 14 overs. The win was a fitting end to a disappointing campaign for both sides, who failed to qualify for the knockout stages.Despite the lack of a chance to advance, a healthy crowd of around 2,300 turned up at the Spitfire Ground to witness Chahal's remarkable debut. Kent's decision to bat first backfired spectacularly as they lost their first four wickets for just 15 runs. Chahal then took center stage, dismissing Ekansh Singh, Denly, and Beyers Swanepoel in quick succession to leave Kent reeling at 52 for 8.Kent's innings eventually ended on 82, their fourth-lowest score in List A cricket. Northamptonshire's chase was equally impressive, with Shaw (17) the only batsman to fall. Sales and Bartlett cruised to the target, with Bartlett sealing the win with a six over cow corner.Chahal's performance was the highlight of the match, showcasing his exceptional skills and providing a glimpse of what he can bring to the Steelbacks in the upcoming season.

Durham pulled off a thrilling seven-run victory over Kent Spitfires in the Metro Bank Cup on Sunday, keeping their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Durham witnessed a superb century from Ben McKinney (115 off 116 balls) that propelled them to a competitive total of 307. McKinney's knock was studded with three sixes and 13 fours, while Bas de Leede (47) provided valuable support.Kent's chase got off to a promising start as Harry Finch (104 off 91 balls) and Jack Leaning (81) stitched together a 183-run partnership for the third wicket. However, the Spitfires suffered a dramatic collapse, losing six wickets for 71 runs.George Drissell emerged as the hero for Durham, claiming 4 for 38. His crucial wickets included Finch, Leaning, and Grant Stewart (3). Colin Ackermann (3-36) also played a key role in restricting Kent's scoring.In the final over, Kent needed 17 runs to win. Ackermann defended the target admirably, conceding only 10 runs and securing a memorable victory for Durham.The result leaves Durham in contention for the knockout stages, while Kent's hopes of progressing have been dashed.

Middlesex secured a comfortable five-wicket victory over Kent Spitfires in the Metro Bank Cup at Beckenham, thanks to a blistering knock from Joe Cracknell.Cracknell's 88-run innings, which included two sixes and ten fours, propelled Middlesex to a target of 205 with 8.4 overs to spare. Robbie White contributed a valuable 50, guiding the visitors to a commanding position.Earlier, Kent had posted a total of 204 in 44.4 overs, with Marcus O'Riordan top-scoring with 58. However, Middlesex's bowlers, led by Josh de Caires, Henry Brookes, and Nathan Fernandes, who each claimed two wickets, kept the Spitfires in check.Kent's innings got off to a shaky start as they lost Beyers Swanepoel early on. O'Riordan provided some resistance, but his dismissal triggered a collapse, with Kent struggling to form meaningful partnerships. Hamid Qadri and Matt Parkinson eventually pushed the score past 200, but their efforts proved insufficient.Middlesex's chase began with a brief setback as Grant Stewart dismissed Nathan Gilchrist and Sam Robson in quick succession. However, Cracknell took control of the innings, dominating the Kent bowlers with his aggressive strokeplay.Despite falling short of a century, Cracknell's innings laid the foundation for Middlesex's victory. Jack Davies and Mark Stoneman contributed valuable runs, ensuring a comfortable win for the visitors.

Kent Spitfires emerged victorious in their Metro Bank Cup Group encounter against Hampshire at Beckenham, securing a four-wicket triumph. Chasing a modest target of 169, Kent faced a precarious situation at 69 for six before Harry Finch and Charlie Stobo forged an unbeaten partnership of 74 to steer their team to victory.Hampshire's innings began promisingly on a seemingly benign wicket, but poor shot selection and Kent's suffocating fielding display resulted in a below-par total. Beyers Swanepoel's three-wicket haul, including the dismissals of Tom Prest and Ben Brown, left Hampshire reeling at 24 for four.Despite a partial recovery from Nick Gubbins and Joe Eckland, Hampshire's innings faltered as Felix Organ and Gubbins fell in quick succession. Kyle Abbott's late cameo of 37 provided some respite, but Hampshire's total of 168 in 41 overs proved insufficient.Kent's chase started disastrously, with Marcus O'Riordan and Joey Evison dismissed cheaply by Abbott. Swanepoel's departure left Kent on 42 for three, and the wickets of Jack Leaning and Jaydn Denly further dented their hopes.However, Finch, known for his Boycott-like obstinacy, played a pivotal role in Kent's recovery. His patient innings of 53 not out from 94 balls, coupled with Stobo's unbeaten 32, gradually shifted the momentum in Kent's favor.Despite a late scare when Finch was nearly stumped, he pulled the next delivery for four to seal the victory with 9.3 overs remaining. Kent's triumph was a testament to Finch's resilience and Stobo's valuable contribution.