Nash helps prop up Kent, Sarwan fails

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, England, CMC – Former West Indies vice-captain Brendan Nash missed out on a half-century but underpinned a valuable partnership that helped keep Kent alive on the opening day of their County Championship match against Worcester-shire here Sunday.

The experienced Jamaica left-hander stroked 41 as Kent, opting to bat first, were dismissed for 258 at the Nevill Ground.

Fast bowler Joe Leach (5-36) knocked over both openers cheaply to reduce the home team to 24 for two, before Nash and Sam Northeast arrived to steady the innings.

Nash faced 93 balls in 129 minutes at the crease and counted five fours while Northeast hit 53 from 132 deliveries, with seven boundaries in nearly 2-1/2 hours at the crease.

The pair put on 93 for the third wicket to lift Kent out of danger, playing with assurance against an attack that included gifted Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.

Both fell in quick succession, however. Nash edged left-arm seamer Jack Shantry to Moeen Ali at first slip and in the next over from Ajmal, Northeast was trapped lbw.

Ben Harmison then hit 47 to help rally the lower order.

At Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, former West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan scored just seven as Leicestershire were bundled out for a paltry 109, after they were sent in by Glamorgan.

The hosts were 56 for one in reply at the close.