Kent v Worcestershire: Alan Richardson earns two-day win

Kent were dismissed for just 63 as Worcestershire completed a remarkable victory inside two days at Canterbury.

Veteran Alan Richardson ripped through the Kent batting order to take 7-22, his best figures for the county, for a career-best match analysis of 12-63.

Earlier, Matt Coles claimed 5-31 as Worcestershire were bowled out for 194.

But Richardson's inspired 14.3-over spell, aided by Gareth Andrew's 3-24, left a small target, which they reached without losing a wicket on 31-0.

The 38-year-old seamer utilised the overcast conditions superbly to complete the third 10-wicket haul of his 158-game first-class career, as well as Worcestershire's first County Championship win since last July,

For Kent, it was a low point in what has been a disappointing start to the campaign with the bat, as they folded in less than two hours, with just two players reaching double figures.

Worcestershire's victory in the battle of the bottom two, moves Steve Rhodes' side up to sixth, to leave Kent propping up the rest.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Kent captain James Tredwell told BBC Radio Kent:

"We showed some decent character in the first innings and bowled pretty well, but today just wasn't good enough. That wasn't a 60-odd all out wicket.

"It's not good enough and, if people don't realise that, they're in the wrong place."

"I'm sure everyone's hurting as much as me and, as long as we can use that in our game against Essex, we can take something from this experience."

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes told BBC Hereford & Worcester:

"You never got tired when you're taking wickets, but Alan Richardson gives his all every time he bowls,

"It was a freakish couple of hours. It wasn't an easy wicket to bat on, but it was a mixture of good bowling and average batting.

"Moeen Ali got the only 50 of the game, so he must have batted really well. I'm not criticising modern-day players, but it does affect the ability to knuckle down and cope when it's difficult."

VIEW FROM THE COMMENTARY BOX

BBC Radio Kent's Matt Cole:

"This was a tale of two contrasting performances, the away side's diligence and accuracy with the ball and an abject batting effort by Kent.

"Alan Richardson bowled unchanged and seemingly inexhaustibly through Kent's innings, hitting line and length and hypnotising the batsmen with movement off the pitch.

"Kent bowled well enough earlier in the day but, whereas Worcester's batsmen showed tenacity to eke out runs in tricky conditions, Kent's line-up collapsed.

"Richardson will be rightly be held up as an example to the youngsters in his side, but there were few of Kent's team who could hold their heads up high as they left the ground."

Match scorecard