Muyeye heroics keep Kent alive but Pears close on vital win

Tawanda Muyeye's score was the highest of his career

Vitality County Championship, Division One, Visit Worcestershire New Road (day three)

Kent 171 & 353-8: Muyeye 211, Stewart 41; Taylor 3-85

Worcestershire 447: D'Oliveira 97, Roderick 63; Jordan 5-97

Worcestershire 7pts, Kent 3pts

Match scorecard

Kent’s Tawanda Muyeye hit a brilliant maiden double-century to frustrate Worcestershire’s hopes of a three-day victory in the County Championship relegation scrap.

The 23-year-old dominated proceedings with the bat and played a major role in Kent wiping out a first innings deficit of 276 at New Road.

Muyeye began the day unbeaten on 80 and again looked a class performer as he surpassed his previous best score of 179, made against Northamptonshire last summer.

A single off Joe Leach took Muyeye to his double ton and was the cue for an elaborate jig of delight around the square before he was embraced by team-mate Grant Stewart.

He received solid support from Jack Leaning, Joey Evison, Harry Finch and Stewart.

Muyeye’s fine knock came to an end in the final over of the day when he was caught behind off James Hartshorn for 211 from 279 balls.

Worcestershire remain favourites to secure a second successive win in the Championship on Sunday against the only side below them in the Division One table, with Kent just 77 runs ahead with two wickets remaining.

Tom Taylor – who took three for 85 from 22 overs – collected two wickets with the second new ball to tip the balance of the game.

Kent resumed on 104-2 in their second innings, needing a further 172 to avoid an innings defeat.

Leaning began proceedings with a trio of boundaries but New Zealand’s Hartshorn trapped him lbw for 27.

Adam Finch achieved another breakthrough when Evison pushed forward and was caught behind.

Harry Finch provided staunch support for Muyeye before he was lbw after adding 81 with Muyeye.

Stewart adopted an aggressive approach in another fruitful partnership of 84 in 16 overs.

Taylor struck with the second new ball as Stewart was trapped lbw for 41 and then had Matt Parkinson caught behind before Hartshorn ended Muyeye’s brilliant innings.

Report supplied by the ECB Reporters Network