Hampshire bowlers lead crushing win

Hampshire 553 for 7 beat Kent 251 and 191 by an innings and 11 runs
Scorecard

Hampshire moved off the foot of the County Championship Division One table with their second win of the season, crushing injury-hit Kent by an innings and 111 runs at the Rose Bowl despite late defiance from South African Martin Van Jaarsveld.

Kent captain Robert Key broke a finger trying to fend off a delivery from Dominic Cork and last man Amjad Khan was nursing a hamstring problem when he batted with defeat looking inevitable. Hampshire had started the third day on 408 for 5 in their first innings and went on to 553 for 7 before Cork declared for a huge lead of 302.

James Vince shared in a stand of 101 with Nic Pothas for the sixth wicket as Kent struggled to cope without Amjad who was only able to bowl eight overs in the Hampshire innings. Alex Blake had Vince (57) lbw to claim his first wicket in first-class cricket and Pothas went on to make 78 before he gave Malinga Bandara his first wicket.

Bandara's success came at a heavy price, his solitary wicket costing 167 runs as the most successful of a disjointed attack. Kent showed no stomach for a fight when they began their second innings so far adrift.

Key had made only four when he was forced to leave the crease and he could be out for three weeks with his broken finger. Without their captain Kent showed little spirit with Joe Denly and Geraint Jones both departing with the total on 14.

Sam Northeast fell with the total on 59 and James Hockley to a diving catch by Michael Carberry at backward point 19 runs later. Blake edged James Tomlinson to the wicketkeeper with the total on 114 and Bandara was the next to depart at 145, leg before to spinner Danny Briggs the ball after hitting the same bowler for six.

As the wickets tumbled around him Van Jaarsveld held firm, putting on 27 with Cook as defeat loomed. Sean Ervine came into the Hampshire attack and swiftly claimed Cook to a catch at the wicket and then removed Robbie Joseph's off stump.

Amjad at least delayed Hampshire's celebrations by unexpectedly coming out to join Van Jaarsveld in his determined attempt to take the match into a fourth day. But with the total on 191 David Balcombe bowled Amjad to leave Van Jaarsveld stranded on 82 not out, with his 11 fours coming from 158 balls faced.

Cork claimed two wickets to give him seven for the match and there were two each also for Balcombe, Tomlinson and Ervine.