Renewed vigour puts Kent in control

Lancashire 226 & 197-7 Kent 214

Kent could see themselves as authentic challengers if they can summon up the 200-plus runs required for victory today. After Peter Martin had seemingly put Lancashire in charge, Kent found new vigour on a cold, but sunny evening to take seven wickets for 61 runs.

This was a turnaround after Peter Martin, in his 13th season, had seemingly all but won the match. He demolished Kent with three wickets in five balls to finish with 5 for 54 and turn a probable lead into a deficit of 12.

Martin, 33, in his benefit year, is proud to remain both a professional cricketer and a painter but admits: "The competition here is hotting up, but I'm not giving up my place without a fight.''

Rain on Wednesday night left the pitch more amenable to seam, but the ball refused to swing. Kent, 124 behind with six wickets standing, were hoping for a substantial lead. After a cautious restart Matthew Walker was caught behind one-handed, Mark Ealham stepped up the rate but was then caught at square leg off the next ball.

At 200 for 7 Martin returned at the River End and in his third over had Min Patel caught at slip and Amjad Khan caught behind next ball; Mark Saggers prodded the fifth ball into a jubilant short-leg's hands.

Lancashire, through Mark Chilton and Alec Swann, coasted to 98 runs in the 28 overs to tea. Chilton plundered fours off two short-pitched balls from John Goulding before this stand of 118 was broken by Saggers and any sense of superiority shattered when Ealham had Neil Fairbrother caught behind and forced Graham Lloyd to play on next ball.

What might be the decisive blow was struck when Khan had Stuart Law leg before.

* Graeme Hick made the highest score by a Worcestershire player at New Road with an unbeaten 315 off 386 deliveries against Durham. The home side declared on 643 for 7.