Kent’s choice to bat was stunning and although England opener Zak Crawley settled nicely, batting watchfully, he misplaced two companions within the first hour.
Hannon-Dalby’s opening spell of 7-3-7-1 included the wicket of Ben Compton, caught by Ethan Brookes at second slip for 4, and Swanepoel struck together with his fifteenth supply for Worcestershire which trapped Sam Northeast lbw for 3.
When Crawley (27) edged to wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick in Matthew Waite’s first over, three wickets had fallen in 29 balls.
Tawanda Muyeye and Daniel Bell-Drummond eked out 37 from 21 overs however Kent hit severe post-lunch turbulence.
4 wickets fell for twenty-four runs in 46 balls, triggered by Bell-Drummond (23) providing no shot at Swanepoel solely to see the ball arrow in to knock out leg-stump. Hannon-Dalby produced good outswingers which Muyeye (19) and Chris Benjamin, 4, edged to the ‘keeper. Joey Evison, dropped on 5, certainly one of three possibilities grassed by Adam Hose at first slip, reached solely 14 earlier than falling lbw to Waite.
That was 99-7 and Kent badly wanted ballast. Milnes and Dudgeon equipped some with a composed and smart stand of fifty in 14 overs.
Swanepoel returned to oust the latter lbw and Matt Parkinson quickly edged Tom Taylor behind for a duck however Milnes and final man Michael Cohen (11) added 41 earlier than the latter edged Brookes to provide Roderick’s fifth catch of the innings.
Dan Lategan launched Worcestershire’s reply with a flurry of six fours within the first 5 overs. He then edged Milnes to 3rd slip looking for a seventh boundary nevertheless it was a invaluable cameo of 25 from the 19-year-old.
It gave the innings early impetus on which Libby constructed with attribute compactness to publish a 67-ball half-century.
Report by ECB Reporters’ Community, supported by Rothesay.
