Cousins secures tense five-run victory against Kent at Northampton

Darren Cousins proved Northamptonshire's hero for the second day running as the Steelbacks sealed a tense five-run victory over Kent Spitfires in their National League Division One contest at Wantage Road.

Cousins, who wrapped up his side's Championship win against Gloucestershire on Saturday with a burst of three wickets in nine balls, conceded only two runs in the final over of the match to keep Kent down to 190 all out in reply to Northants' 195 for nine.

The Spitfires' batting mainstay, Indian star Rahul Dravid, hit 68 from 112 balls but fell to a brilliant catch at long-on by Jason Brown, and Darren Scott failed to hoist the last delivery for six, holing out at extra cover.

The result leaves Northants four points behind the first division leaders, Yorkshire Phoenix, while Kent remain in the relegation zone.

Skipper Matthew Hayden (47) and Tony Penberthy (39 not out) were the Steelbacks' major contributors with the bat, and 196 always looked a testing target on a pitch lacking in pace.

Kent made a dreadful start, losing Matt Walker and James Hockley with only seven on the board, and they plunged deeper into trouble as seamer Kevin Innes claimed a competition-best 4-36 including the wickets of Paul Nixon and Steve Marsh in the space of three balls.

Dravid and Scott (27) did their best to sway the issue, adding 47 in 10 overs for the ninth wicket, but Northants held their nerve at the end to round off an excellent weekend for the club - and for Cousins.