Kent 169 (Kuhn 54) and 95 for 1 (Bell-Drummond 45*) beat Durham 91 (Henry 5-28) and 170 (Weighell 84, Henry 7-45) by nine wickets
Scorecard
Matt Henry claimed career-best match figures of 12 for 73 to guide Kent to a comfortable victory over Durham in their Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash at Emirates Riverside.
The New Zealand seamer dominated with the ball in both of the home side's innings, setting the tone in the first by dismissing South Africa opener Aiden Markram. The 26-year-old notched five wickets on day one before returning with an even better spell of bowling on the second. He tore through Durham's batting line-up, finishing with career-best innings figures of 7 for 45.
The home side began the day 13 for 1, Markram having already been dismissed for a second duck. Will Smith and Matthew Potts returned to the crease, with Smith dispatching the first ball of the day to the boundary. However, Durham's day soon went downhill, as Smith was caught at slip by Sean Dickson for 12 off as Henry continued to torment Durham's batsmen. He struck in his next over when he clean bowled Gareth Harte for 1.
Kent's ability to apply pressure from both ends was integral to their success in the contest. Darren Stevens removed Graham Clark for a duck, and Paul Collingwood arrived at the crease with his team in desperate need of a stoic knock. He lasted just deliveries before he edged Stevens behind to Heino Kuhn in the slip cordon.
Durham had lost four wickets in 3.5 overs, scoring just seven runs in the process. Michael Richardson edged Henry through the slips to notch a boundary, but then nicked behind from a brilliant ball. Stuart Poynter joined the collapse as he was adjudged lbw to the New Zealander, leaving Durham 39 for 7 and in danger of an innings defeat.
Resistance finally came from the hosts, with Potts scoring 36 during a composed knock at the crease. The 19-year-old had been the nightwatchman and remained in position until Durham had forced Kent to bat again. After his dismissal, James Weighell took centre stage and batted brilliantly with Nathan Rimmington. The pair put on 50 in 52 deliveries, taking Durham over the 100-run mark.
Henry returned to remove Rimmington for 25, but Weighell responded by taking the attack to the visitors, scoring his third first-class fifty, off 69 deliveries. Weighell found the boundary with regularity, including three sixes, in his innings of 84, which was ended going for one shot too many off Henr.
Kent lost Sean Dickson for 3 early in their pursuit of 93 for victory. Heino Kuhn survived a dropped chance, three inside edges and being bowled off a no-ball to guide his team over the line with Daniel Bell-Drummond in a partnership of 91, securing the win by nine wickets.
