Kent Captain Sam Northeast has praised his side after their “fantastic” win against Derbyshire in the County Championship.

Northeast saw his side pick up their second win of the Championship season in incredible fashion at Derby, coming from almost being forced to follow-on after the first innings to wrapping up a seven-wicket win just 24 hours later.

After Derbyshire had made 492 in their first innings, Sean Dickson’s brilliant, unbeaten 207* helped his side to a first innings total of 412. Joe Denly retired not out on 34 after having to leave before play on day three to attend the birth of his first child.

A high quality bowling performance on the evening of day three and morning of day four then saw Kent skittle their opponents for 94; Calum Haggett (4-15) and James Tredwell (4-45) starring with the ball, before Kent wrapped up the win in style shortly before tea on the final day.

“It was a bizarre game”, Northeast said when he spoke to journalists after play had finished.

“We were trying to avoid the follow-on, and then we went past that. We were still 80 runs behind them [after first innings], and then three wickets [on the third evening] changed the game. When you’ve someone like James Tredwell in your side, it can make a huge difference on a fourth day pitch which is turning, and he showed his class. He’s an international bowler, and he really came to the fore, supported by Calum Haggett and Matt Coles [2-34].

“To bowl them out for 94 was just a fantastic effort. It was a fantastic win from a position where we were struggling a little bit.”

Northeast said that the team had remained confident of taking a positive result from the game, even when it looked like the victory was some way off.

“We knew that when you’ve got a spinner like that in your side, things can happen very quickly. The bowlers are in great form, and there’s confidence around the side at the moment.

“I think we knew we could do it today – the momentum just shifted a lot in the game. It’s a massive effort and a great achievement to get the win.”

Skipper Northeast, 26, also took the time to praise the batting efforts of Dickson, who turned his first century for Kent into an unbeaten double, carrying his bat throughout his side’s first innings.

“Sean batted fantastically well”, his captain said.

“When you score a double hundred it’s a special knock, but under the circumstances as well, how he carried, batting positively all the way through when people were falling down around him – it was great character and great skill.

“You won’t see a better knock than that. It’s always nice to get your first one in county cricket, and I’m sure he’ll flourish from here on.”

 

James Tredwell photo courtesy of Sarah Ansell Photography