Kent Hold Record Northamptonshire Draw In County Championship

In the Rothesay County Championship match at Canterbury, Northamptonshire set a new venue record by declaring at 722-6, surpassing Australia's 1921 record of 676, thanks to a 298-run unbroken partnership between Saif Zaib (196*) and Justin Broad (157*). Despite rain interruptions reducing Kent's innings, Kent fought back with bowling contributions from Yuzvendra Chahal (4-51) and Liam Guthrie, and a resilient 49-run effort from Joey Evison helped them avoid defeat, closing at 160-8. Earlier in the match, Kent dominated the first two days with centuries from Daniel Bell-Drummond (158) and Harry Finch (118), reaching 556-8 before Northamptonshire took over. Ben Compton was awarded his county cap and signed a new three-year contract, contributing 66 runs on day one. The match was notable for Kent's strong batting performances under challenging conditions and a tense final day where Kent narrowly escaped a sensational Northamptonshire victory. The game featured spirited individual performances and notable records, including Northamptonshire’s highest seventh-wicket partnership, amid challenging weather conditions and personal dramas such as Tawanda Muyeye’s temporary departure and return.