Head Coach Matt Walker was understandably relieved as Kent pulled off an unlikely draw with Durham.

Having been set a large 494 to win going into the final day at Canterbury, Kent seemed set to lose their first County Championship game of the season.

However, a last wicket stand of 34 runs from Yasir Shah and Mitchell Claydon ensured Kent remain unbeaten in Division Two.

After seeing his side pull off the draw, Walker was pleased with the grit and determination that saw the side take eight points from the game:

“We were naturally nervous because the odds were against us. Yasir Shah played beautifully for us and manufactured things nicely to try and get as much as the strike as he could and Mitch Claydon did his bit too. He’s not renowned for his batting is our Mitch, but it was a great effort.”

“They bowled really well and kept the pressure up but this shows the fighting spirit we have in the camp now. We’re showing this more often now, we’ve gritted our teeth and scrapped hard to get something out of the game.”

“It’s five extra points and who knows how much they’ll be worth to us come the end of the season.”

Meanwhile, Durham skipper Paul Collingwood was [pleased his side had come within a whisker of winning:

“It’s been exciting cricket these past there games because they’ve all gone down to the final over. That’s a great experience for these young lads.”

“It would have been great to win of course, but I can’t fault any of our efforts here. We kept battling, trying to wear Kent down, but in the end they stood firm and made it hard for us to get the last wicket.”

“We tried, in-swing, away swing and a bit of spin, but they stood firm, particularly Shah who we struggled to get out in the first innings. He looks a decent player to be coming in down the order.”

“We’ve done nothing wrong in this match, we’ve pretty much dominated all the way through. But you have to take 20 wickets to win. We’ve only done that once this season and that’s a concern.”

Kent now have a full week to prepare for their next game with a trip to Worcestershire, taking on the West Country side at New Road beginning next Monday.