Kent Cricket News -----------------------------
www.kent.cricket.org ---------- Tue 01 Sep 1998

Kent's cricketers will be waiting to see which
of them have been selected for the England 
winter touring teams when the selections are
announced later this morning.  Mark Ealham,
Matthew Fleming and Dean Headley look the most
likely to be picked to go overseas in the next
few months, when the squads are announced at
half-past ten this morning (0930 GMT).

We will have full details live on CricInfo.

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NORTHAMPTONSHIRE V KENT, SUNDAY LEAGUE

Kent beat Northamptonshire by 7 wickets at 
Northampton this weekend, a vital victory that
keeps thems within the top 9 of the table (which
will be split into two divisions for 1999).

The ground has improved greatly over previous
year, the centrepiece being the new cricket 
centre at the end where the football ground
buildings used to be.  The centre includes an
indoor school, offices and hospitality boxes,
and was opened officially on Sunday by Earl
Spencer, Patron of the club.

Northants won the toss and batted first, making
only 168 for 6 from their 40 overs on the same
pitch that was used for the championship match
the previous four days. The main contributions
came from Kevin Curran with 34 and David Sales
with 31.  Carl Hooper took two wickets, with
one apiece for Headley, Phillips and Llong.

Kent lost three wickets on their way to 
victory, but it was by no means as straight-
foward a win that it looked on paper.

Trevor Ward was the first go when he was bowled
by Taylor for 15 in the eighth over.  Matthew
Fleming scored a quickfire 28 from 34 balls
before being caught by Taylor off Snape.

Moments later opener Ed Smith was bowled by
Snape for 26 and Kent were 75 for 3.  At one
point the required run rate climbed to above
5 an over but it was Carl Hooper who for the
second time in two days, dominated the rest
of the match.

The Wets Indian all-rounder hit 5 sixes, one
of them almost breaking a window in the newly
opened Cricket Centre, and 2 fours as he made
65 from just 61 balls in just over an hour.

Matthew Walker was the more passive partner
at the other end but he also scored quickly.
Walker ended undefeated on 30 (from 38 balls),
hitting the winning boundary (his third) to 
take Kent to 172 for 3 and give them victory
by 7 wickets.
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NORTHAMPTONSHIRE V KENT, CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Kent 218 and 377 for 7, Northants 391
Match Drawn, Northants 11 points Kent 6 points

Kent's championship match with Northamptonshire
was drawn after an outstanding display by
Kent's Carl Hooper.  Kent began the final day
(Saturday) 109 runs behind the home side with
8 second innings wickets remaining.

Hooper was unbeaten on 157 not out at the end
of the day, Alan Wells also made 77 with him
as the pair took Kent from 114 for 5 to 290 for
6.

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