Walker and Carberry stun Worcestershire

Kent 289 (Fulton 107) and 429 for 5 (Walker 151*, Carberry 112) beat Worcestershire 401 and 316 for 2 dec (Moore 108*, Hick 89, Smith 78*) by five wickets at Canterbury
Scorecard

Matthew Walker top-scored with an unbeaten 151, and the nightwatchman Martin Saggers scored his second first-class century, as an inspired Kent chased 429 to overwhelm Worcestershire at Canterbury.

Kent had begun the day on 35 for 2, and all thoughts of victory had been firmly ruled out. But Saggers more than matched his senior partner, Rob Key, in a stand of 72, and as his confidence grew he cracked a straight six off Shaftab Khalid en route to a career-best 64.

His efforts inspired Walker and Michael Carberry, who came together at 170 for 4 and were not parted for three-and-a-half hours, by which time Kent were 406 for 5 and within touching distance of victory.

Saggers fell in the second over after the break, and from that moment on Walker and Carberry completely dominated proceedings. They batted throughout the remainder of the afternoon session to reach tea on 289 for 4, and even by then Worcestershire were beginning to fear the worst. Walker was especially fluent, as he more than doubled his invaluable 70 from the first innings, while Carberry made it two Championship centuries in consecutive matches, after his maiden effort against Gloucestershire last week.

Carberry eventually fell for 112 with just 23 runs needed for victory, bowled by Nadeem Malik after cracking 13 fours and two sixes after adding 236 with Walker. But Walker remained unbeaten throughout, finishing with 151 from 261 balls, as Kent eased home with 3.3 overs of the day remaining.