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Kent Secure First Win in Over a Year with Matt Milnes’ Six-For
Kent has finally broken their winless streak in the County Championship, thanks to an outstanding performance by Matt Milnes, who took 6 for 12 against Derbyshire. The hosts secured a convincing 225-run win, with Milnes’ career-best figures playing a crucial role in the team’s success.
The Match Summary
Kent 352 and 335 (Benjamin 123, Evison 88, Haydon 5-81) beat Derbyshire 304 and 158 (Milnes 6-12) by 225 runs
Milnes’ impressive bowling display helped Kent blow away Derbyshire for just 158 in their second innings, wrapping up the win with 54 overs remaining. Luis Reece was Derbyshire’s top scorer with 67, but he lacked any real support, and the game was over at 2.44 pm when he holed out off Ekansh Singh and was caught by Chris Benjamin.
A Dominant Performance
A crowd of over 600 took advantage of free entry on the final day, but as on day three, when Derbyshire took two wickets in the first over, any late-comers would have missed an explosive start. Derbyshire began day four on 19 for 1 and lost Harry Came for 18 to the fifth ball of the morning when he edged Keith Dudgeon to Ben Dawkins at gully.
The same combination got rid of Matthew Montgomery for a duck, caught by Tawanda Muyeye at second slip. The visitors were 103 for 7 at lunch and lost Ben Aitchison in the second over after the resumption, caught behind off Milnes, who then had Rory Haydon lbw for 1 in his next over.
A Career-Best Performance
Milnes’ previous career-best figures were 6 for 53 against Leicestershire at this venue in 2021. This was Kent’s first win in the County Championship since they beat Middlesex in April 2025. The team will be looking to build on this momentum as they head into their next match.
Reece, at least, was able to enjoy himself, racking up his second 50 of the match when he clipped Jas Singh for four after a misfield by Ekansh Singh. He then had a let off on 53, when he skied Ekansh Singh and the ball went through Sam Northeast’s hands, hitting him on the chest. Reece then pulled Jas Singh for a huge six over square leg, but his luck ran out when he again skied Ekansh Singh, and this time Benjamin hauled in the catch.
