Hollman's century paves way for dramatic defeat for Kent

LUKE Hollman's maiden century paved the way for Middlesex to snatch a dramatic victory as they edged past Kent in a see-saw Rothesay County Championship classic at Lord's.

- By BEN KOSKY

Bowled out for 129 on the opening day, Kent looked favourites after setting a stiff target of 365 and reducing their hosts to 81 for three overnight but Hollman's diligent knock of 103 anchored a remarkable fightback.

The 24-year-old shared key partnerships with Stephen Eskinazi (41) - who retired hurt with a back spasm but returned later - and Jack Davies (59), only for leg-spinner Matt Parkinson to turn the contest back in Kent's favour, dismissing Hollman and Davies in quick succession.

It needed an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 52 between Toby Roland-Jones and Zafar Gohar to wrap up a record Middlesex run-chase against Kent, the latter slog-sweeping Parkinson (three for 105) for six to secure victory with just one over remaining.

A morning shower slightly delayed the resumption of Middlesex’s innings before not-out batters Hollman and Eskinazi knuckled down to blunt the visitors’ attack with few causes for alarm.

Hollman overtook his partner by steering Kashif Ali to the point boundary and, even though Parkinson extracted some turn from the Pavilion End, the pair made steady progress during the first hour and half.