An early Yasir Arafat led blitz upon the Surrey top order proved to be the catalyst for a comfortable 90-run victory for the Kent Spitfires at the Brit Insurance Oval this afternoon.

Arafat had the Brown Caps in trouble from the start, claiming the prized wicket of yesterday’s centurion James Benning for 16, with a contentious LBW decision. He also collected the scalps of Scott Newman and Alistair Brown, to leave Surrey reeling at 47 for four. Arafat finished with impressive figures of 4-35 off 8.4 overs.

Kent skipper Robert Key won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat on what looked to be an excellent looking pitch conducive for run scoring. Surrey made the best possible start removing the dangerous Key, a centurion in the corresponding fixture last year, leg before to Pedro Collins. Collins then combined with Aussie Matt Nicholson, to leave the Spitfires in a tailspin, at 52 for four.

However, on a good batting wicket, it was always going to be hard to continue to apply the pressure to a side that possessed as many clean strikers as this Kent line-up. South African ODI –specialist Justin Kemp combined with Geraint Jones to resurrect the Kent innings with a 92-run stand. Kemp was finally caught in the deep off Chris Schofield for a well made 63, which brought to the crease former Brown Cap Azhar Mahmood. Jones and Mahmood then went about turning what looked to be a competitive total into a quite imposing one. Their 93-run stand was the turning point in the match, coming at easily over a run a ball.

With Mahmood in full gallop, and Jones also producing a number of lusty blows, Kent were able to amass a more than competitive 282 for seven from their allotted 50 overs. The final six overs producing 84. Jones finished with 86 from 88 deliveries, whilst Mahmood managed a quick fire 62 from 43 balls. Collins finished with an excellent 4-45 from his ten, bowling with hostile intent.

The Brown Caps reply never really got going, with the Arafat led onslaught leaving Surrey 43 for four. Surrey’s run machine Mark Ramprakash was undone by that man again, Mahmood, breaking through his defences whilst on five. The Brown Caps attempted to rebuild in the hope of chasing down the Kent total, however the further wickets of Usman Afzaal and Schofield left them with the score on an embarrassing 84 for six.

In true Surrey Brown Caps style however, wicketkeeper Jonathan Batty made it his own crusade to rescue the side and find some form himself, digging in from one end. He was able to find some brilliant help from the tail, to help keep some hope of a memorable Surrey victory alive. Batty produced a number of excellent front foot drives on both sides of the wicket to post a fighting 50 from 81 balls.

Despite the resistance led by Batty and the tail, South African Ryan McLaren backed up the early wickets of Arafat, to then dispose of the remaining Surrey batsmen. Nicholson fought hard for his 24, whilst Neil Saker chimed in with a run a ball 20. Once Batty was removed for a well made 63, the result was confirmed. McLaren finishing with 5-46 from his ten overs.

Surrey will be looking to rebuild for the clash at Hove against Sussex on Thursday evening hoping to gain a victory to help turnaround their Friends Provident Trophy campaign.

Highlights of this match will be available from 10am Tuesday morning from www.surreycricket.tv.

By David Ross

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