Warwickshire’s first win is secured by Oliver Hannon-Dalby’s half-dozen

At Edgbaston, Warwickshire defeated struggling Kent by an innings and twenty-one runs before midday on the third day, cementing their first Vitality County Championship victory of the season.

Warwickshire’s seamers finished the demolition job they started on their opponents on the first day, bowling Kent out for 243 in their second innings on the third morning.

First round, Kent was bowled out for 156, and even on their second effort, they could not muster much more against the Kookaburra ball on an easing surface, with Oliver Hannon-Dalby taking 6 for 43 (9 for 74 in the match).

With the visitors’ miserable season culminating in their sixth consecutive Championship loss and another slide towards relegation, only Joey Evison (65), who was injured, provided sustained resistance. Matt Walker‘s team had an extremely difficult three days in the West Midlands due to injuries to crucial players Tawanda Muyeye and Grant Stewart.

When Kent returned on the third morning at 157 for 3, they were well on their way to 171 when a quick 3 for 6 in 14 balls from Hannon-Dalby smacked them. Charlie Stobo delivered his opening ball to Rob Yates at second slip after sharp induckers trapped Jack Leaning and Muyeye leg before wicket.

Hannon-Dalby was sixty percent of the way to taking all ten, but Ed Barnard stopped him in his tracks by lbw-ing Stewart and then took Matt Parkinson’s wicket, which he edged to wicketkeeper Michael Burgess.

After Michael Rae was edged out by Alfie Ogborne, Evison, out of partners, lifted Barnard for six to complete a half-century on 93 balls. Despite Evison’s outstanding batting in both innings, Kent was forced to endure another Championship misery when Michael Booth’s attempt to clear the ropes was met with only Alex Davies at long on.

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With this win, Warwickshire’s Division One position looks safe for another year even though other clubs in the bottom half of the standings are having difficulty in their games around the nation. Warwickshire’s Division One status is set to expire shortly.