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Kent book place in Twenty20 final

26/07/2008

Kent Spitfires kept the defence of their Twenty20 Cup alive with a 14-run victory over Essex Eagles in the first of the day's semi-finals at the Rose Bowl.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Kent produced a solid batting performance reaching a total of 173-7 from their 20 overs.

Opener Joe Denly scored 36 from 27 balls, making him the leading run-scorer in this year's competition.

Darren Stevens (29), Azhar Mahmood (27) and captain Robert Key (20) all produced decent knocks as the defending champions spread their runs throughout the team.

Danish Kaneria (2-28) and pacer Ravi Bopara (3-36) were the pick of the Essex bowlers.

Essex looked as if they were going to reach the total relatively comfortably as an opening partnership of 78 between Bopara and Mark Pettini put them in control.

When Bopara went for 29, all eyes fell on Graham Napier, who has been the star of this season's tournament.

Napier failed to produce when it counted, however, and wascaught by Key off the bowling of Simon Cook for just three runs.

Opener Pettini was eventually run-out for 54, and the required-rate start to spiral started to look ever more daunting.

Yasir Arafat took 2-22 as Essex finished their 20 overs on 159-8, which put Kent into this evening's final where they will play Durham or Middlesex.