Kuhn century stuns holders as Kent romp to nine-wicket win

Former South Africa batsman Heino Kuhn powered Kent through to the semifinals of the Royal London One-day Cup and ended Nottinghamshire’s reign as holders.

Kuhn scored an unbeaten 124 from 114 deliveries as the Spitfires romped to a convincing nine-wicket victory at Trent Bridge.

The 34-year-old shared an opening stand of 194 – a county record against Nottinghamshire – with Daniel Bell-drummond, who made 79. Joe Denly applied the finishing touches by blazing his way to an undefeated 52 from only 28 balls.

Steven Mullaney had topscored with 90 for Notts, who posted 255 for eight after being inserted, making his runs from 108 balls with eight fours.

Luke Fletcher added a career-best 53 not out for the holders but it always appeared to be a below-par total, with Harry Podmore taking four for 57.

In pursuit of 256, Kuhn and Bell-drummond wasted little time in settling the outcome. They were untroubled in racing to 76 from the opening 10 overs and Kuhn’s fifty came from only 40 balls.

The blustery conditions of late morning gave way to bright sunshine and the boundary tally accelerated briskly. Kuhn hit 11 fours and two sixes in his 87-ball century – his third in this season’s competition.

Kent will face Worcestershire at New Road in Sunday’s first semi-final with Yorkshire, who beat Essex by 25 runs, travelling to Hampshire on Monday.

Gary Ballance top scored with 91 in Yorkshire’s 259 for seven, a total that Essex did well to get even near after collapsing to 123 for six. But a battling 78 from Adam Wheater kept them just about in the hunt and Essex’s tail wagged vigorously. But 26 off the final over proved beyond them and they were bowled out for 234. Steve Patterson took four wickets.