Jason Holder hits unbeaten century for Worcestershire

Former West Indies captain Jason Holder hit an unbeaten century for Worcestershire on Saturday as the West Midlands side amassed a formidable lead against Kent at Canterbury on day two of their Vitality County Championship match. 

Batting at home on a pitch that made taking wickets look strenuous, Holder was destructive in his innings of 123 not out, which contained seven boundaries and six maximums at a strike rate of 111.81. The Barbadian all rounder was the only batsman with a strike rate over 80, bringing up his half century with a leg glance for two runs against leg spinner Matthew Parkinson and his fourth first-class hundred with a single off Jack Leaning, as eight fielders were on the boundary to limit his scoring. 

His partner at the other end for most of the onslaught was lower order batsman Matthew Waite, who made exactly 100 runs before skipper Brett D’Oliveria called the pair in with the score of 618-7 after 158.5 overs. Earlier in the match, opener Gareth Roderick made 117 runs from 289 balls with five boundaries.  

Kent’s long day got worse when opener Ben Compton fell on the fifth ball of their inning to the bowling of Joe Leach after Rob Jones juggled a catch at third slip but eventually held on. England opener Zak Crawley’s difficult start to the season continued as he fell for his fourth single digit score in five innings. Leach was in the wickets again as Crawley (6) tickled a delivery down the legside into the welcoming glove of tumbling wicketkeeper Roderick. 

In-form captain Daniel Bell Drummond stepped up for his side once again and alongside top order batsman Jack Leaning, the pair saw off the new ball to put on a partnership worth 97 runs. Bell Drummond reached his fifth score of fifty or more in as many games with a risky single on Brett D’Oliveira’s throw, but made it home to see out the day’s play. 

Kent finished the day on 111-2 after 33 overs and still trails by 507 runs.  (JC)

Summarised Scores 

Worcestershire CCC 618-7 dec (Jason Holder 123*, Roderick 117, Waite 100*; Joey Evison 3-58, Matthew Parkinson 3-201) 

Kent CCC 111-2 (Daniel Bell-Drummond 54*, Leaning 43*; Joe Leaning 2-12) 

Kent trail by 507