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Joe Denly hits superb century as Kent beat Nottinghamshire by 285 runs at Tunbridge Wells

Kent dimissed Nottinghamshire inside two sessions to land an impressive 285-run win on the final day of their Specsavers County Championship match in Tunbridge Wells.

Having set the visitors a victory target of 406, Kent dismissed Division 1's bottom club inside 60 overs to land their second win of the summer and bank 22 points.

Kent had Harry Podmore, the former Middlesex seamer, to thank for the win after his 5-41 return, while Ollie Rayner also played a key role with a mid-afternoon stint of 2-13 in 16 overs.

Harry Podmore celebrates the wicket of Tom Moores to complete his five-wicket haul in the second innings. Picture: Ady Kerry
Harry Podmore celebrates the wicket of Tom Moores to complete his five-wicket haul in the second innings. Picture: Ady Kerry

At the day’s start, Kent batted on for nine overs to add a further 86 to their overnight total of 277-3.

Joe Denly pressed the accelerator from the off, hitting another 56 off only 30 balls - with five sixes and three fours - to finish unbeaten on 167.

He lost Heino Kuhn for 42, bowled by off-spinner Matt Carter, and Ollie Robinson, well caught at backward point for just a single as Kent’s went for quick runs.

Kent’s declaration left them 90 minutes and two full sessions to dismiss the visitors, but they duly wrapped up the win by tea with Podmore to the fore.

Ben Duckett received a life on 15 when Zak Crawley spilt a low chance at third slip off Podmore. Yet, the opportunity cost only 10 runs as Duckett chased another full one outside off stump to be caught behind.

Joe Denly and Harry Podmore in discussion during Kent's win over Nottinghamshire. (12732970)
Joe Denly and Harry Podmore in discussion during Kent's win over Nottinghamshire. (12732970)

Four overs later, Podmore removed the experienced Chris Nash to a fine low catch by keeper Robinson, diving to his right, then five balls later the bowler trapped Joe Clarke leg before for a duck after a late and ill-judged decision to shoulder arms.

Grant Stewart took over at the Railway End and struck with his 14th delivery by having Samit Patel caught at square cover to leave Nottinghamshire in trouble on 56-4 at lunch.

Kent’s dominance continued as Middlesex loanee Rayner produced an impressive spell, the last five overs of which were maidens.

Rayner took his maiden wicket for Kent by turning one away from Ben Slater for a catch behind.

The off-spinner also had James Pattinson caught in the gully from an over-ambitious drive.

Zak Crawley is out for 111 against Nottinghamshire. Picture: Ady Kerry
Zak Crawley is out for 111 against Nottinghamshire. Picture: Ady Kerry

Wiaan Mulder chipped in with the wicket of visiting skipper Steven Mullaney, leg before to a yorker, then Podmore and Stewart, with 2-13, returned to polish the job off.

Crawley’s 111 had led a Kent recovery on the opening day of their 107th Tunbridge Wells Cricket Week fixture.

Kent lost five wickets before lunch barely four days after being dismissed for 59 by Somerset, and were struggling on 119-6. However, Crawley joined forces with Stewart in a seventh-wicket stand that added exactly a century.

Joe Denly and Harry Podmore in discussion during Kent's win over Nottinghamshire. (12732970)
Joe Denly and Harry Podmore in discussion during Kent's win over Nottinghamshire. (12732970)

Kent’s last-wicket partners Milnes and Podmore then added 55 in 14.2 overs to take Kent to the relative riches of 309 all out to bank three batting bonus points.

Milnes picked up 5-68 to limit the visitors to 267 all out after half-centuries from Chris Nash (67) and Patel (52) left them well placed o day two at 208-4.

Kent's Ollie Rayner celebrates his second wicket with Oli Robinson. Picture: Ady Kerry
Kent's Ollie Rayner celebrates his second wicket with Oli Robinson. Picture: Ady Kerry

Upon their return to the crease on day three, Kent finished the day with a lead of 319 and Denly on 111 not out after his stands of 75 with Crawley (37) and 152 with Daniel Bell-Drummond (79).

Denly reached 167 by the time Kent declared on 363-5, before Podmore produced a five-fer as Notts were bowled out for 120.

Courtesy of the ECB Reporters' Network

Read more: All the latest Kent sport news

Kent's Wiaan Mulder bowling against Notts on the final day. Picture: Ady Kerry
Kent's Wiaan Mulder bowling against Notts on the final day. Picture: Ady Kerry
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