Naved cameo can't prevent defeat

7:57pm Monday 14th July 2008

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A spirited fightback from Yorkshire ended in vain at Canterbury as Kent wrapped up victory in their County Championship clash by three wickets.

Despite setting the home side only 140 to win, Yorkshire’s attack made sure Kent suffered more than a brief nervous moment.

There was little evidence of the excitement early on despite Matthew Hoggard and Adil Rashid picking up two wickets each, Kent reaching lunch relatively unscathed at 101 for four.

Then Rana Naved entered the scene – and the Pakistan international, who has been out of County Championship action since May through injury, quickly made up for lost time.

He struck twice in his first over, including the wicket of the dangerous-looking Martin van Jaarsveld for 41, as Kent suddenly stumbled to 102 for six.

When the paceman also contentiously dismissed Azhar Mahmood with just six more runs on the board, Yorkshire sensed an unlikely victory.

Sadly that was as good as it got for the White Rose county as Kent, who could yet have two one-day final appearances this season, once more showed they can bat under pressure.

Yasir Arafat joined Geraint Jones at the crease and the two of them safely negotiated everything.

“It is a bitter pill to swallow”, said director of cricket Martyn Moxon.

“We put in a good performance yesterday but it just compounds the disappointment of losing the game.

“We had two great opportunities in both the first and second innings to drive home our advantage and unfortunately after we didn’t to that, we paid the ultimate price.

“It’s not doom and gloom though – we have done a lot of good things in this game, but to win County Championship games you’ve got to play well for the entire four days.”

Yorkshire’s focus shifts to the Pro 40 on Wednesday against Essex at Chelmsford.