Photo via BBC Sport

Kent beat Lancashire to boost promotion hopes

Kent strengthened their push for promotion in Division Two of the County Championship with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Lancashire at Canterbury. Resuming on the third morning at 84-2 following an hour-and-a-half weather delay, the hosts required only 56 more runs to complete their 140-run chase.

3 overs, with Sam Northeast steering the side home via an unbeaten 48 and Daniel Bell-Drummond finishing 19 not out after driving George Balderson to the boundary to confirm the win during an extended morning session. Earlier in the day, Tawanda Muyeye struck James Anderson's opening delivery for four before falling lbw to Tom Bailey on 43.

The triumph earned Kent 19 points while Lancashire departed with three. Lancashire had initially been dismissed for 161 in their first innings courtesy of bowling figures of 5-42 from Farhan Ahmed and 4-28 from Matt Milnes, before Kent replied with 214 led by Zak Crawley's 84 despite Harry Stanley claiming 4-61.

Lancashire then mustered 192 in their second turn at the crease, anchored by Marcus Harris's 48 while Matt Dudgeon collected 3-51, ultimately leaving a target well within Kent's reach.